Key coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, have urged protesters to remain calm in their demands for the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, expressing optimism that the president will step down by Thursday (24 October).
Should this not happen, they warned that they would resume protests.
Late on Tuesday night (22 October), at approximately 11:45pm, both Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, along with several other coordinators, appeared in front of the Bangabhaban. Addressing the gathered protesters, the two coordinators delivered their remarks.
Speaking to the protesters, Hasnat Abdullah declared that, “The conspirator Mohammed Shahabuddin must resign. However, if the state is left without a president before a successor is confirmed, it could open the door to foreign powers exploiting the situation. We will not allow this to happen. Therefore, over the next two days—Wednesday and Thursday—we will engage in discussions with all relevant parties to appoint a president who will not be a source of controversy. After that, Shahabuddin will be forced to resign. Please give us two days to accomplish this.”
Despite these assurances, while some protesters dispersed after the coordinators' statements, others continued their demonstration outside Bangabhaban, maintaining their demand for the president's resignation.
