Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad: 2 senior leaders resign just a day after launch

Just one day after the formation of student organisation Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, coordinated by former leaders of Student Against Discrimination (SAD), two of its leaders resigned today (27 February).

Rifat Rashid stepped down as senior joint member secretary, citing personal reasons, and Mehedy Sajeeb quit as joint convener citing DU-based dominance. 

At a press conference held at DU's Madhur Canteen yesterday afternoon, Abu Baker Majumdar, the central committee convener of the newly formed organisation, said, "Activists from private universities and other institutions created chaos over Dhaka University's dominance in the committee. It was a misunderstanding due to interference of a third party."

The press conference was organised to announce the 205-member committee of the organisation.

Just one day earlier, on Wednesday, the organisation's announcement was made by Abu Baker Majumdar, who was a SAD coordinator.

Before the formal announcement, internal conflicts over the positions and titles within the organisation had already surfaced, eventually escalating into physical altercations.

In the press conference, Abu Baker announced that a three-member committee had been formed to investigate the "disorderly" incident. 

"Some unfortunate incidents occurred yesterday [Wednesday] due to a third party involvement. It will take about six months to form the full committee through the council. There will be no distinction between public and private members, and we will move past this incident to unite for national politics."

About the policy of the organisation, he said, "Students reject parasitic politics, and Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad will not engage in it. Leadership will be elected democratically, with a maximum age of 28 for central leaders, and members can participate in politics for seven years after enrolling.

The core principle of the new organisation has been defined as "Education, Unity, Liberation". Its slogan is "Student First, Bangladesh First".

In the organisation, Touhid Mohammad Siam became the senior joint convener, Zahid Ahsan the general secretary, Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury the chief organiser, and Ashrefa Khatun the spokesperson.

Abdul Kader, former SAD coordinator, has been appointed as the convener of the Dhaka University unit of the orgnisation.

The senior joint convener for Dhaka University is Limon Mahmud Hasan, while Mahir Alam has been made the general secretary, senior general secretary Al Amin Sarker, chief organiser Hasib Al Islam, and the spokesperson will be Rafiya Rehnuma Hridi.

Protests over DU dominance 

Coordinators of the SAD from various universities and colleges across the country have expressed their frustration over Dhaka University's dominance in politics.

On Wednesday afternoon, students from private universities gathered to protest in front of Dhaka University following the launch of the student organisation. 

Touhid Mohammad Siam, the general secretary of the SAD at Jahangirnagar University, wrote on Facebook: "We must move beyond Dhaka-centric, narrow thinking. At least, give space to others in the pictures."

Protests also erupted on campuses like Jagannath University, Rajshahi University, and Chittagong University, with students expressing their discontent over the exclusion of women from other regions. 

In the wake of Wednesday's events at Madhur Canteen, Jahangirnagar University Coordinator Jahaan Talat Mahmud Rafi said, "The new politics should stop being Dhaka-centric." 

He had posted similar comments on Facebook on 16 February.

Rajshahi University Coordinator Salauddin Ammar posted on Facebook, saying, "Rajshahi and Chittagong universities missed out, and private university students received no positions, creating instability." 

He added, "The dominance of Dhaka University is what truly dissuades me."

Also, private university students staged a one-hour road blockade in Banglamotor in front of the SAD office on Wednesday evening.

MJH Manju, convenor of the Sammilita Private University unit of SAD, said private university students played a key role in the creation of New Bangladesh and cannot tolerate mistreatment. 

He claimed students were attacked and female students harassed during the press conference, leaving eight students injured. 

The protesters later announced further demonstrations, but postponed them for "national interests."

Regarding the situation, Umama Fatema, the SAD spokesperson, said, "The old political system, which favoured Dhaka University, has failed to bring about the necessary reforms. This marks a historic defeat for the universities."