Will support govt’s good deeds, correct their mistakes: Student leaders after emergency meeting

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will support the interim government's good deeds and correct the mistakes, leaders of the organisation said after an emergency meeting of its coordinators today (13 November).

Speaking at a press briefing at the organisation's office in Bangla Motor of the capital, its main organiser Hannan Masud said, "From the organisational point of view, we have come to the conclusion that we will have a dialectical relationship with the government. We will support them in good deeds and if they make mistakes, we will try to correct them."

Some of the coordinators who attended the meeting told The Business Standard that there was a detailed discussion on the nomination of advisors, banning of student politics, election of student parliament, relationship with Nagorik Committee, expansion of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at the local level, keeping student representatives in the decision making process of the government.

In the briefing, coordinator Hannan said the organisation will soon form an executive committee to speed up its activities. "A number of cells will be formed through which anti-discrimination activists will be able to coordinate with the public. Besides, a convening committee will be fully formed within 1-1.5 months."

Regarding the new programmes of the students, Hannan said, "A special programme will be taken on the occasion of 100 days [of the movement's victory], during which discussions will be held about martyrs and injured. Also, various complaints regarding the treatment of the injured will be discussed with the health ministry. We will meet with the families of the martyrs at the district level. We will also ask the government why the injured had to take to the streets."

Speaking about the issue of lack of coordination in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, he said the matter was discussed in today's meeting. "Recommendations have been made to formulate an outline of how to overcome the inconsistencies that have arisen. This outline will be finalized within 10 days."

He, however, denied that there is any division in the organisation.

"There is no division in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. A heart-felt discussion took place for 4 hours between coordinators from across the country. We are determined to act on the promise of the mass uprising. Today we had about 80 people present at the meeting," he added.

Also speaking on the occasion, Arif Sohel, the member secretary of the organisation, said internal organisational discipline and the formation of local committees were mainly discussed. "No programme was announced in today's meeting."