Hasib Al Islam, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, has said that the July Revolution could not have been easily realized without the fire incidents at metro rail stations or the killing of police officers.
He also said that the revolution would not have happened if they adhered to laws.
He made the statement on Saturday while participating in the talk show "Projotne Bangladesh" on the private television channel DBC. Alongside Hasib Al Islam, BNP leader Nilufar Chowdhury Moni also participated in the show.
At one point during the talk show, host Jhumi Rahman questioned Hasib Al Islam regarding the president's resignation controversy, asking whether there was any compromise when the oath was taken by the president.
In response, Hasib said: “Look, there was no compromise at that time. We did not say that our revolution, the coup that occurred through government formation, was over. In our one-point declaration, we mentioned three things: the downfall of fascism, the complete abolition of the fascist system, and others. At that time, only the downfall of fascism occurred. The other two, that means our struggle is not over. Our revolution is ongoing.”
He continued: “We are calling this a revolution or a mass uprising; whatever we may call it, it did not occur according to any constitutional rules or legal provisions. If we were to follow the law, these revolutions would not have happened. If the fire had not been set in the metro rail, if police officers had not been killed, then this revolution would not have been achieved so easily. The downfall of fascism could not have been ensured. All revolutions in the world have occurred outside the constitution or rules. Therefore, to say that there will be a breach of the law or that constitutional positions will be vacated in the context of revolution or coup seems illogical to me.”
At this time, criticizing the BNP, the student coordinator of the movement said: “If the BNP had been able to demonstrate their capacity correctly over the last 15 years, then fascism would not have been able to oppress the people of the country for so long.”
He said: “We have acted out of emotion, and that is why fascism has fallen. Thus, we still want to move forward uncompromisingly. Regarding the president's resignation, we want to remain uncompromising. The people of Bangladesh do not want to hear discussions that create vacancies in constitutional positions or political vacuums. The president's resignation has now become a demand of the people of Bengal.”
Notably, the home ministry on October 14 said there will be no cases, arrests, or harassment over incidents related to the July uprising, which took place from July 15 to August 8.
The ministry in a press release mentioned the change in government through the mass uprising on August 5, saying that the students and people who actively participated in the movement and worked in favour of it during this period will not face any cases, arrests or harassment for any incidents related to the uprising.
The ministry added that all concerned have been instructed to remain extremely vigilant regarding this matter.
