Leaders and activists from 28 student organizations gathered on Thursday following an invitation from Chhatra Dal, the BNP’s student wing. However, notably absent were Chhatra Shibir and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, as they had not been invited to the meeting.
"The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement identifies itself as a non-political student organization. This meeting was exclusively for political organizations that have contributed to student activism over the last 15 years,” Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib told Dhaka Tribune.
He added that many left-leaning organizations had raised objections to the presence of Chhatra Shibir, which led to their exclusion from the meeting.
Student leaders present at the meeting reported discussing various contemporary issues, including a collective appeal to the interim government for the formation of a national student council. The organizations also demanded the expedited completion of structural reforms and the holding of student union elections.
Earlier, on Wednesday night, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement hosted a discussion with leaders from 30 student organizations. However, this meeting was effectively boycotted by most prominent groups, including Chhatra Dal and leftist student organizations (excluding Islami Chhatra Shibir), as a protest against Dr Muhammad Yunus, the movement's chief advisor. The boycott arose from accusations that Dr Yunus invited only leaders from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement while excluding representatives from other organizations. Instead, these groups held their own meeting on Thursday to exchange views.
Following Thursday’s meeting, Saikat Arif, General Secretary of Chhatra Federation, released a statement on behalf of the participating organizations. According to the statement, the student leaders addressed several pressing issues, including the current political climate, national independence and sovereignty, medical care for those injured in the uprising, and the promotion of democracy in educational institutions.
They emphasized the urgent need for student union elections, proper medical treatment for the injured, rehabilitation for the families of those killed, and justice for the victims of the July uprising. The leaders condemned efforts to suppress student politics and called for democratic reforms in educational institutions nationwide. Specifically, they demanded the formation of a reform commission to amend the Dhaka University Order of 1973 and revise student union constitutions, urging that elections be held promptly.
The press release also highlighted the aftermath of the uprising, mentioning that the Hasina regime fled the country following mass protests led by students and the public.
Over 15 years of resistance against fascism reportedly resulted in more than 2,000 deaths and 30,000 injuries, it added.
The release accused India of attempting to sustain the Hasina government politically but failing, citing provocations such as the attack on Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commission in Agartala. The students pledged to protect the country's independence and sovereignty, vowing to resist any external threats.
Criticism was also directed at the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The release accused its leaders of marginalizing other student organizations involved in the uprising, jeopardizing the unity forged during the struggle. The participating groups held the movement accountable for this potential division and insisted they must face the consequences.
The organizations represented at Thursday’s meeting included Revolutionary Student Unity, Democratic Student Council, Chhatra Pokkho, Chhatra Adhikar Parishad, Pahari Chhatra Parishad, Revolutionary Student Youth Movement, Islami Chhatra Andolan, Bhashani Chhatra Parishad, Nagorik Chhatra Oikya, JSD Chhatra League, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), State Reform Student Movement, Islami Chhatra Samaj, and Jatiya Chhatra Samaj (Partha).
