Rise of multiple platforms from anti-discrimination movement: How it is shaping student activism

Students, once united under the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement which spearheaded the July uprising, have established over 25 new platforms following Hasina's fall on 5 August, focusing on anti-fascism, justice and social rights.

With a diverse approach to continuing the fight for the aspirations of the movement, these new groups have already organised over a hundred programmes upholding the spirit of revolution.

One such platform, Biplobi Chhatra Parishad (Revolutionary Student Council) staged a protest at Dhaka University's Raju Sculpture on 21 November, calling for a ban on the Awami League and action against what it called national traitors.

Explaining the motivation behind forming a new organisation, Biplobi Chhatra Parishad Convener Abdur Wahed said, "After 8 August, we felt the need for a new organisation as the original platform deviated from the spirit of July. Our focus is to bring the Awami League to justice and oppose fascism."

A day earlier, at the university's Madhur Canteen, Fasibad Birodhi Chhatra Janata (Anti-Fascism Student-Public), held a "coffin procession", demanding similar action against both the Awami League and the Jatiya Party.

The fragmentation reportedly has roots in dissatisfaction among activists.

On 3 October, 17 members, including the central coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Jahangirnagar University, resigned. On 23 October, they launched the "Gono Ovvuththan Rokhkha Andolon" (Mass Uprising Protection Movement).

The members who resigned cited "controversial actions" by certain coordinators, misuse of personal influence and a ruling-party-like behaviour as reasons for their departure.

Similar grievances have prompted resignations at universities across the country.

Bin Yamin Molla, spokesperson for Fasibad Birodhi Chhatra Janata and president of the Students' Rights Council, said, "Initially, we wanted a common platform without political affiliations. However, when the contributions of various political groups were not recognised, leaders formed their own organisations to continue the fight against fascism."

He also criticised the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement for straying from its "original demands", including banning the Awami League and drafting a new constitution.

DU student Hasan Enam expressed regret about not receiving due recognition despite actively participating in the movement and sustaining injuries. To implement his constructive ideas, he has initiated two new endeavours.

The first is the "July Massacre Archive", which is already collecting and showcasing various elements of the uprising, such as photographs, videos, and curated content, on a broader scale.

The second initiative is Swadhin Bangladesh Chhatra Sangsad, which aims to secure students' political and social rights and demand DUCSU election.

Several other platforms have emerged with specific goals tied to the movement's core values.

These include Anti-Fascist Coalition, Ekotar Bangladesh, Justice for July, Inquilab Moncho, July Massacre Archive, Nirapod Bangladesh, Roktim July, Swadhinota-Sarbovoumotto Rokhkha Committee, July Gonohotya Bichar Nischit Parishad, July Biplop Parishad, Biplobi Sangskritik Oikkyo, Students Alliance for Democracy, Swadhin Bangladesh Chhatra Sangsad, and Anti-Agression Platform.

Notably, these platforms operate against the backdrop of earlier warnings by Anti-Discrimination Student Movement spokesperson Umma Fatema.

On 10 August, Fatema cautioned that transforming the main platform into a political organisation might lead to its deviation from collective aspirations.

"We must understand where we need to stop," she said, warning against turning the movement into a tool for personal or group interests.

Addressing recent developments, she told TBS on 21 November, "That was my personal opinion at the time, as many coordinators were creating chaos. Coordinating actions became necessary later to protect protesters and reduce mismanagement. While our five-point demands remain unchanged, we have reduced major programmes to avoid retaliation."

Despite the splintering, Fatima expressed optimism, saying, "Many of the new platforms have expressed solidarity with our programmes. Their emergence reflects the unity we achieved during the quota reform movement, where people of diverse political ideologies participated."

In a recent development, organisations like the Swadhin Bangladesh Chhatra Sangsad, Biplobi Chhatra Parishad and Inquilab Moncho attended a meeting of 19 student groups on Monday.

Hosted by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, the discussion aimed to address inter-institutional conflicts, stressing that collaboration is possible despite the emergence of separate platforms.

Earlier, on 11 November, leaders of 13 newly formed organisations met at the TSC cafeteria of Dhaka University to discuss strategies for tackling fascism through cultural, social, and political means.

Regarding the recent emergence of factions, political analyst Professor Dilara Chowdhury said students' disunity is detrimental to Bangladesh's future.

"It is not unusual for new organisations to emerge following a mass uprising. However, this trend may weaken the students' collective bargaining power," she said.

"Resolving any crisis requires consensus. However, there is a visible lack of unity between the government and political parties, as well as conflicts involving students, political groups and the government," said Dilara Chowdhury, former Government and Politics professor at Jahangirnagar University.

She warned that without negotiations, minor issues could escalate into major crises, as is already evident.

Sarwar Tushar, a member of the National Citizens' Committee initiated by student coordinators, however, has a different take on this.

Before the uprising, he said, the lack of democratic space prevented young people from working on new platforms despite their interest. However, the events of August 5 opened avenues for the youth in both intellectual and political spheres.

"You can't confine them to a single platform. The critical issue now is to maintain a unified stance," he told TBS.

He further explained that differences in thought among the youth drive them to work independently. Previously, people worked under the banner of a single organisation in a vertical structure. Now, they are creating their own platforms and collaborating horizontally.

Disagreeing with concerns about a decline in students' bargaining power, Sarwar said, "I don't think that will happen. The youth maintain communication among themselves, which ensures a minimum level of unity. This, in fact, strengthens their position. We've seen their unified stance in recent events, with some programmes being jointly organised."

He also mentioned that several representatives from these platforms have been included in the Citizens' Committee.