The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) on Monday announced that its new student political organization will follow an "independent" and "moderate" stance rather than aligning with traditional cultural divisions.
This statement came during a press conference organized by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at the University of Dhaka's Madhur Canteen.
Abdul Kader, coordinator of the central ADSM committee, told Dhaka Tribune that the "Bengalee Muslims" of this region do not support extremism, whether from the left or the right.
Referring to a recent controversy over sanitary napkins at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025, raised by Islamist groups, he said: "We want politics to rise above these issues."
Abu Baker Majumdar, another coordinator of the central ADSM committee, added: "Our student organization will work to fulfil July’s hopes and aspirations, embodying the spirit of July. We will continue to support those who engage in politics aligned with our ideological position."
“People from all walks of life contributed to making the July uprising successful. We do not want to engage in the politics of exclusion,” said Abdul Kader.
As for the nature of this newly forming student political organization, its leaders assured all that it will not engage in the traditional "bootlicking" student politics and will operate as an "independent" entity.
This new organization will have no connection with the ADSM platform, said the speakers, adding that it is an independent initiative.
ADSM has its own organogram and will continue to operate at its own pace, they mentioned.
Abu Baker Majumdar clarified that individuals who wish to join the new organization must first leave the ADSM platform, as membership will be based on individual opinions.
The foundation of this organization will be rooted in the July mass uprising and the decisions made by students during that movement.
Other key proposals include establishing inclusive politics regardless of identity, increasing women's participation in politics and ensuring gender equality, taking a firm stance on student rights, strengthening student-citizen solidarity, and restoring student parliaments weakened under fascist rule.
As part of its efforts to gather student feedback, Abu Baker Majumdar announced that the organization will conduct opinion surveys and membership recruitment programs on Monday and Tuesday.
The program will take place online on Monday and will be held both online and offline on Tuesday, encompassing all educational institutions, including madrasas.
Though the official launch date has not been determined, it will be decided based on the findings of the opinion surveys and membership recruitment efforts.
The leadership of the new organization will be elected through democratic processes, said Abu Baker Majumdar.
Tahmid Al Modasshir Chowdhury, a central committee member of ADSM, said the organization will not engage in bootlicking politics, emphasizing that members will have the freedom to openly criticize them if they do so.
Addressing past statements on banning student politics, ADSM clarified that they have always advocated for the prohibition of bootlicking student politics rather than student politics as a whole.
Tahmid further said there is no contradiction between the restoration of student parliaments and the formation of this new student organization.
The organization's financial structure will be based solely on membership fees provided by its members.
The newly formed organization's official slogan and theme will be: "Students First, Bangladesh First."
ADSM reaffirmed its stance as an apolitical platform, saying that while it will never engage in politics itself, the creation of this new political student organization is necessary to fulfil its organizational and political needs.