One of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has said an interim government outline will be presented before the nation after holding talks with students, the public, civil society representatives, and political leaders.
Nahid Islam said no supporters and collaborators of the just ousted fascist government would have a place in the national government.
The Awami League government fell on Monday in the face of students-led protests waged by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh after resigning as prime minister. Later in the evening, nine coordinators of the movement, including Nahid, spoke on a private television channel.
Emphasising that the coordinators seek an overall change in Bangladesh, Nahid said they want to establish a system where another fascist and tyrannical leader like Sheikh Hasina cannot emerge.
Another coordinator Asif Mahmud said they will present the outline of the interim national government during a press conference at the SAARC Fountain in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar at 8pm. Acceptable people will be welcomed into the interim government.
Responding to a question, he said that the day they announced their one-point demand as part of their movement, they were sure of their victory. They would remain in the streets until their demand was fulfilled.
Asked about their demands, Asif Mahmud said that the political leaders and activists who have been imprisoned over the past 16 years would have to be released on the very day the interim government takes charge. Additionally, all those involved in political killings would have to be prosecuted.
The coordinators said they want a new political settlement in the country. Everything will be reconstituted. A democratic government will have to be presented to the nation after holding a fair and neutral election.
Giving all credit to the people for making the movement a success, another coordinator Sarjis Alam said, “We just started, but without the general public’s participation, it would not have been successful.”
Mentioning that even in the morning, clashes took place in Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and Chankharpool areas, he said that fires were thrown at the coordinators there. Fortunately, they were alive and managed to come here. He added that this movement has been successful due to the participation of the general public.
Nahid Islam called on all—students and the general public—to ensure that no one loots or vandalises any state facilities, taking advantage of this situation.
Addressing everyone, he said, “We all have to be in the streets peacefully until our final victory. State properties belong to the people; they have to be protected so that no one has the opportunity to loot.”