July movement turned into a 'money-making machine': Umama Fatema
Umama claimed that misuse of the "coordinator" identity of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) began immediately after the July uprising
Umama Fatema, former spokesperson of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), described her involvement with the platform as a "tragic" chapter in her life, claiming that the July uprising has been made into a "money-making machine".
In a Facebook live session early today (28 July), Umama shared a detailed account of her journey with the platform, from joining it to stepping away, where she made major claims indicating the involvement of SAD leadership in "corruption and lobby business" after the fall of the autocratic Awami regime.
In her remarks, Umama claimed that misuse of the "coordinator" identity began immediately after the July uprising.
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"July was a significant experience. I never imagined that people could be using the movement for financial gain," she said. "I had no intention of turning it into a money-making machine. Yet, sadly, that's exactly what happened, routinely and quite openly."
Noting that there was initial resistance to giving out the coordinator title, she said, "The very next morning of 5 August, I noticed people suddenly identifying themselves as coordinators and occupying various positions. I was shocked.
"Hearing that people were using it to extort and take control, I began to wonder: is this turning into some kind of coordination force like the Rakkhi Bahini?"
At that point, Umama said she felt the platform had lost its original purpose. She also indicated that raising such concerns within the forum may have threatened some who were abusing their positions.
"For expressing it back then, I made many enemies," she said.
Pointing out that SAD leaders often had very little to no autonomy in making decisions, Umama said, "All major decisions were made on Hare Road (residences of advisers) and simply handed down to us. I felt sidelined from the whole process."
She also alleged widespread irregularities, saying, "I was well aware of the extortion, nepotism, and the shelter (protection) rackets surrounding certain individuals. When I started looking into them, I realised how deeply it had all spread.
"Once I became the spokesperson, I began to see what was really happening: tender manipulation, lobbying for DC appointments, and all sorts of backdoor dealings. I had no idea about any of this before stepping into that role."
Speaking emotionally, she said, "Everything became blurry. I was under constant stress for months. There was no clear direction."
