Umama Fatema steps down from Anti-Discrimination Student Movement

Umama Fatema, spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that led the July Uprising, has announced her departure from the organisation.

She made the announcement in a lengthy Facebook post on Friday.

In the post, she alleged widespread irregularities within the group, particularly in the formation of committees at both district and Upazila levels. She also raised concerns about irregularities during the organisation’s recent council session.

“This marks the formal end of my journey with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement,” she wrote.

Umama claimed she was pressured to not work under this banner, saying: “After the political party named NCP was formed, I chose to continue unfinished work from July under this banner, out of a sense of responsibility.”

“But because this banner operated independently beyond party influence and directives, it was seen as a threat to some people’s political ambitions. As a result, I came under immense pressure, both online and offline, to stop working under it.”

She said she had still hoped to continue her work, adding: “I took the entire situation as a challenge and tried to revive the banner with the credibility it once held. I have nothing more to say about what followed.”

Reflecting on the July Uprising, she said, “After witnessing such a massive movement, it has been incredibly painful to watch everything fall apart before my eyes.”

Commenting on organisational irregularities, she added, “Reports of misconduct from district and Upazila units were constant. Journalists would call, and I clearly told them: why don’t you ask those who formed these committees? Why don’t you hold your mics to those who sign them off?”

She said the entire situation left her mentally drained.

“Even those I hoped to work with kept looking toward Hare Road. To my face, they would agree with me, but at night, they’d be at Hare Road bargaining for positions. I was aware of everything.”

Accusing the most recent council session of vote manipulation, she said: “There were only a limited number of voters, mostly affiliated with a specific political party. After the results, I saw someone who hadn’t even participated in the election become a council member. I feel ashamed.”

She said, “Before I joined the platform, I was promised the freedom to work independently. But once I became the spokesperson, I realised that all the talk about reform, July, the dead, and the injured were just empty promises.”

“It wasn’t just me, many students joined this platform with hopes of change. But we were all deceived. Those who hurt me, insulted me, and turned the uprising into a business -– I will never forgive them,” she said.