'All of us were only deceived': Umama Fatema steps down from Students Against Discrimination

Umama Fatema, spokesperson for the Students Against Discrimination, the platform that led last July's student uprising, has announced the end of her journey with the organisation, citing betrayal and disillusionment due to its internal practices.

In a post on her verified Facebook page early today (28 June), Umama said she, along with many others who joined the platform with the hope of meaningful change, felt deceived and sidelined. She formally announced her withdrawal from all organisational activities.

"I went to this platform to protect the dream of the uprising. It's not just me—many students joined the platform with dreams of change. But all of us were only deceived," she wrote.

"Before joining the platform, I was promised that I could work independently. But right after joining as a spokesperson, I realised that 'reform,' 'July,' 'martyrs,' 'injured' were just empty words."

Umama said she faced considerable pressure, both online and offline, to disengage from the platform.

"Immense pressure was created on me, online and offline, so that I do not work with this banner. I took the whole matter as a challenge and tried to keep the banner active from goodwill. I have nothing separate to say about the subsequent situation."

Her post also expressed disappointment over the formation of a political party, the National Citizen Party (NCP), and how, in her view, it compromised the movement's independence.

"My formal journey with Students Against Discrimination ends here. After the formation of the political party named NCP, I decided to work with this banner out of a commitment to complete the unfinished tasks of July. But if this banner worked independently outside of party affiliation and prescription, the political future of many would be threatened."

She alleged that people she once worked closely with in meetings and processions later orchestrated smear campaigns against her using juniors.

"No matter how much people try to appear good on the outside, I deeply realised how petty they can be on the inside during those times. These so-called comrades use people like tissue paper; it doesn't take a moment to throw them away once their need is over."

While she acknowledged the presence of some well-intentioned individuals within branch committees, she said they were also ultimately pushed aside by opportunistic leadership.

"It's very, very difficult to see everything crumble before your eyes after witnessing such a huge event like the July uprising. Subsequently, after consulting with my friends and well-wishers, I decided to remove myself from this banner. Although I didn't formally resign from the anti-discrimination banner, I effectively severed ties with this banner in April–May last year."

Umama said she had considered resigning many times and even drafted resignation letters but could not submit them due to emotional ties to the movement.

"Politically, resigning and leaving is the easiest. But I'm a human, it's very difficult, I couldn't due to the uprising. I came to this platform to reform the country. I didn't come here to sling mud."

She criticised the way committees were formed prior to the NCP's launch, saying objections raised by her and others went unanswered. As a spokesperson, she said she was denied access to the platform's official social media page and was even targeted through it.

"Forget about being given page access, posts were made against me from this page even in March. If I tried to take action, the page was used as a weapon against me, or I had to endure silent treatment."

In her post, Umama also commented on the recent central council elections of the platform.

"Lastly comes the matter of going to vote in the council. I had decided not to vote in the council until the last day. Most of those who want to work didn't even get the chance to be candidates in this council. The voters are very limited, all of whom are people from one political party. 

"Naturally, I was unwilling [to vote or endorse]. But one minute before the vote ended, I went and cast my vote. That's just to say that until the last moment, I was trying for something good to come out of this," she wrote.

"There were some candidates in this election who had a genuine desire to work. I tried to give that support. But after the results came out at night, I saw someone who didn't participate in the election had become a member of the council. Seeing all this, I am extremely ashamed. It's the same arbitrariness, grandstanding, and the crony quorum's game."

Notably, the central council election took place on Wednesday (25 June) from noon to 5pm. The results were announced in the evening.

Through this process, Rashidul Islam (Rifat Rashid) was elected president and Md Inamul Hasan general secretary of the new committee. Muinul Islam was elected organising secretary and Sinthia Jahin Ayesha spokesperson.

Umama also expressed her views on the future of the platform in her post.

"From inside, I truly wanted at least something good to come out of this platform. But I realised that with the way the platform has been entangled like a snake, good things are impossible from here. Now I feel that the future of this platform is dark."

She concluded her post by expressing a desire to move on.

"Politically, I could have taken many advantages. But I couldn't… Too many people died. I couldn't politically cash in on these. I want to shake off the past 8–9 months and move forward."

Addressing fellow members of the platform, she wrote, "I have seen many good young people on this platform, those who have goodwill. I would advise all of you to focus on your studies, focus on your work. I am not breaking down either; I am getting everything organised."