Seventeen coordinators and co-coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Jahangirnagar University have resigned from their positions.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the university’s Student-Teacher Centre on Thursday (3 October).
In a written statement, the resigned leaders outlined several reasons for their decision. They criticised some coordinators for their failure to promote the university at national level, for discriminatory behaviour towards fellow students, and for their involvement in the lynching of former Chhatra League leader Shamim Mollah.
The statement specifically mentioned that several coordinators’ names had appeared in video footage related to the lynching incident.
The resigned leaders expressed their disappointment with the coordination committee’s inability to reach a unified stance on these issues.
Those who resigned include Abdur Rashid Jitu, Rudra Muhammad Safiullah, Haseeb Zaman, Zahidul Islam Imon, Zahidul Islam, Fahmida Faiza, Rokaia Jannat Jhalak, Mishu Khatun, Rafid Hasan Rajan, Hasanur Rahman Sumon, Abdul Hai Swapan, Naseem Al Tariq, Aindrila Majumdar, Zia Uddin Ayan, Tanjim Ahmed, Zahidul Islam Bappi, and Saidul Islam.
In the statement, coordinator Abdur Rashid Jitu accused the organisation of abandoning its core principles.
He stated that the movement, which began as a fight against fascism, had initially focused on nine key demands, including the prohibition of partisan student politics, the prosecution of those involved in the July massacre, and compensation for the injured and victims.
Jitu criticised the movement for its silence on these issues, particularly in light of the risks taken by general citizens during the mass uprising.
He argued that the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has now become a government-aligned student organisation, effectively betraying the principles it once advocated for.
The resigned coordinators emphasised that the “second independence” achieved on 5 August belongs to all people, regardless of their social standing, profession, or opinions. They rejected the notion that any individual or small group could claim sole credit for this movement.
They pledged to continue their efforts to uphold and nurture this second freedom, which is the product of the people’s hard work, dedication, and sacrifices.
The coordination committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Jahangirnagar University unit was formed on 13 July.
