Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad launched amid clashes over posts
Clashes took place over posts in the new organisation during the launch at the Madhur Canteen of Dhaka University on Wednesday (26 February)
A section of July uprising leaders and former coordinators of Students Against Discrimination (SAD) have launched a new student organisation, Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, amid protests by private university students who claim they were overlooked for posts in its committee.
The launch took place at a press conference at the Madhur Canteen of Dhaka University on Wednesday (26 February.
However, tensions quickly escalated when clashes erupted between DU and private university students at the Madhur Canteen, Mall Chattar, and DU Central Library areas over the issue of posts.
At least 10 people were injured in the incident, including a female student. Eight of the injured were from private universities, while two were from DU—Mishu Ali, a Journalism Department student, and Akib Al Hasan from Printing and Publication Department student.
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The face-off
During the press briefing, a group of private university students raised slogans against DU students. "We don't accept any committee without private university students," they chanted, among other slogans, including "We will not let the blood of the private go in vain".
On the other hand, a group of DU students entered Madhur Canteen from the Ducsu building and raised slogans like "Education, unity, freedom" and "Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad."
Coordinators of some universities outside Dhaka told TBS that a group was raising slogans in anger because the dispute over posts was not resolved.
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]Raihan Molla, a student of the College of Aviation Technology, expressed frustration, saying, During the July uprising, private university students were the most affected, yet we are facing the most discrimination. We are not being given any posts in the new organisation. The brothers of DU want to keep everything to themselves that is why we are protesting."
In response, DU student and coordinator Rezaul Hasan said, "Today, our central and DU committee has been announced. This committee has been formed based on the opinions of all universities, districts and upazilas across the country.
"Multiple meetings have been held with students from private universities and madrassas on this matter. After that, today, some groups, claiming to be students from private universities, have protested, saying their recommendation has not been considered."
Rezaul added, "Our complete committee has not been announced yet. So how can they say their evaluation has not been considered right now? If there were any such complaints, they could have been resolved through discussions. But some overly enthusiastic individuals seem to want to turn the matter into a conflict."
The committee
Abu Bakar Majumder, a student from the 2019-20 batch of the Department of Geology at DU, has been named as the central convener of the new student organisation. He was a coordinator of the SAD movement and previously served as the general secretary of the DU unit of Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti.
Abu Bakar said the new organisation would be free from partisan student politics, with the slogan "Student first, Bangladesh first."
Zahid Ahsan, a student from the 2018-19 batch at DU, has been appointed as the central general secretary of the organisation. He was also a coordinator in the SAD movement but has resigned from the position of secretary of the central office cell of that platform.
Touhid Siam, a student from Jahangirnagar University and general secretary of SAD's Jahangirnagar University unit, has been appointed as the senior joint convener.
Rifat Rashid has been assigned as senior general secretary, while the chief organiser of the central committee is Tahmid Al Mudassir Chowdhury, and the spokesperson is Ashrefa Khatun. Both Tahmid and Ashrefa are students from the 2018-19 batch at DU.
Abdul Kader, a former SAD coordinator and a known figure in the July uprising, has been appointed as the convener of the DU wing of the new organisation. He gained attention as a key person behind the 9-point demand of the movement.
Kader, along with Mahir Alam, a student of the 2018-19 batch, will serve as the general secretary of the DU unit.
The chief organiser of the DU branch is Hasib Al Islam, and the spokesperson is Rafia Rehnuma Hridi, both from the 2020-21 batch of the university. These two were also leaders of Chhatra Shakti and former coordinators of the SAD movement.
Limon Mahmud Hasan has been appointed as the senior joint convener of the DU branch, while Al Amin Sarkar is the senior general secretary.
Regarding the clash at DU, Hasib Al Islam, the chief organiser of DU Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, wrote in a Facebook post, "We cannot escape organisational responsibility for the heated situation at Madhur Canteen today.
"We have witnessed the great enthusiasm among students across Bangladesh for the new student organisation. We must stay committed to reflecting the importance of the July uprising and the students' aspirations."
He added, "We apologise for the negative situation at Madhur Canteen today. However, those responsible for the incident must face strict organisational actions and legal scrutiny after an investigation."
Abdul Kader also issued an apology via a Facebook post, saying, "The peaceful environment of the campus has been disrupted. I am ashamed and deeply sorry for the unfortunate incident that took place today."
Later at night, private university students blocked the road in front of SAD's Banglamotor headquarters in protest of "the attack on them at DU".
SAD to remain active
Umama Fatema, the spokesperson for SAD, told TBS, "Those who join the new student organisation and political party will resign from our platform. At the same time, the SAD movement will continue. We will hold a meeting soon to decide who will take responsibility for this platform and when and how those leaving will resign."
Several coordinators have suggested that Hasan Enam, the secretary of the People's Uprising cell, may take on the next leadership role in the SAD. Other names being discussed include Moinul Islam from Dhaka College and Malihah Namla, a student from Jahangirnagar University.
Earlier, on 17 February, Abu Bakar Majumder said, "Our student organisation will not be a subsidiary. There are talks of forming a new political party, and this student organisation will have no affiliation with it. As part of our leadership process, leadership will be chosen democratically from bottom to top. The financial matters of the organisation will be managed through internal donations."
At that time, Rifat Rashid said, "Our student organisation is a separate initiative. It has no relation to the SAD. The SAD has a specific organisational structure, where the convener and general secretaries will manage it in their own way. This is an independent initiative; it will be implemented according to its own constitution and policies."
However, in practice, the announcement of the new party was promoted on the official Facebook page of the SAD, and they actively participated in various programmes of the movement.
