Seventeen resigned coordinators from the Jahangirnagar University (JU) unit Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have formed a new platform “Combined Mass Uprising Protection Movement'.”
The platform aims to uphold and protect the spirit of the July uprising, ensure justice for the perpetrators of mass killings, assist the interim government, and drive meaningful changes within the university.
This initiative involves a group of students who actively participated in the July movement.
The announcement came during a press conference held at the Student-Teacher Centre conference room of the university at 4:30pm on Monday.
Abdur Rashid Jitu, a student from the Bangabandhu Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture, has been appointed as the platform's convener.
Fahmida Faiza from the Department of Government and Politics is the member secretary, with Rudro Mohammad Safiullah from the Department of International Relations serving as joint convener. Imran Shahriar from the Department of Marketing will act as the spokesperson.
At the press conference, Imran Shahriar read out a written statement on behalf of the platform.
He said: "Through a bloody struggle, we have achieved our long-awaited second independence. The uprising has awakened the nation's dream of a new Bangladesh, free from fascism, discrimination, and oppression, where justice and security of life and livelihood are guaranteed, and where universities provide safe and conducive environments for higher education."
He further said: "Currently, it is evident that the interim government is struggling to maintain the spirit of the uprising. This crisis has been fueled by both internal and external actors within the government.
Additionally, the government’s lack of goodwill and negligence in various areas have worsened the situation, allowing fascist forces to regain influence. The security of life and livelihood in the new Bangladesh is declining day by day, and the constitutional and institutional reforms we anticipated are being delayed."
Platform Convener Abdur Rashid Jitu said: "There is now a critical need to safeguard and establish the values of the uprising. Students from different groups at Jahangirnagar University are working separately toward the same goals.
Therefore, a united effort, while maintaining individual distinctions, is necessary for broader change. That is why we have come together under the name 'Movement to Preserve the Uprising.' We are committed to supporting the interim government while also holding it accountable."