A new student-led political organisation, emerging from the platform that led the July mass uprising, is likely to be launched on Sunday (23 February).
The organisation pledges to uphold the revolutionary spirit of the July movement in a newly redefined Bangladesh, won through the blood and sacrifice of students and citizens alike.
It asserts its independence, vowing to remain free from the influence of any political party or individual.
Several senior coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement are expected to take up leadership roles in the new organisation, multiple coordinators and members said on condition of anonymity.
According to sources, the new organisation will retain the four key leadership positions seen in the anti-discrimination movement—convenor, member secretary, spokesperson, and chief organiser.
Abu Bakr Mazumdar, a coordinator of the previous movement, is likely to assume the role of central convenor, while Abdul Kader is expected to take charge as the convenor of the Dhaka University unit. Jahid Ahsan, former secretary of the movement’s office cell, is being considered for the position of central committee member secretary, with Mohir Alam from Dhaka University’s Mathematics Department expected to become the university unit’s member secretary.
Furthermore, sources indicate that Ashrefa Khatun, a student of International Relations at Dhaka University, may be appointed as the spokesperson of the central committee, while Rafia Rehnuma Hridi, from the university’s 2019-20 session, is likely to serve as the spokesperson for the Dhaka University unit. Al Amin Sarkar, a student of Dhaka University, is expected to take up the role of the chief organiser in the central committee, with Hasib Al Islam from the Sociology Department potentially assuming the same position for the university unit.
Regarding the structure of the new organisation, Abdul Kader told this newspaper, "Our student organisation will not function as a subsidiary or affiliate of any existing entity. It will be entirely independent. Leadership will be elected democratically from the grassroots level through a bottom-up approach. Financial matters will be managed through internal contributions from members."
On the question of age limits, he stated, "Anyone joining the central committee must be under 28 years of age. No one above this age will be eligible for membership. For university units, students may remain members from the time of their undergraduate admission for a maximum of seven years, ensuring the organisation remains exclusively for students."
Elaborating on the ideological foundation, he remarked, "The essence of our new student organisation is the spirit of the July mass uprising. This spirit will guide our work across campuses and educational institutions."
On 17 February, at a press conference held at Madhu’s Canteen in Dhaka University, Abu Bakr Mazumdar, a former coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, formally announced the formation of the new student organisation. The group has adopted the slogan: "Students First, Bangladesh First".
