New Student Org Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad Formed Amid Protests
A new six-member student organisation, Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, was launched at Dhaka University's Madhur Canteen, on Wednesday marking a ‘shift in student politics’ just ahead of a key political announcement.
The group, led by former activists of Students Against Discrimination (SAD)—a driving force behind the removal of the Awami League government—has declared itself an independent entity, vowing to operate outside partisan political influences.
Formation Amid Rising Tensions
The announcement comes days before SAD and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee are set to unveil a new political party on February 28.
Alongside the central committee, a Dhaka University unit of the newly-formed student organisation has also been formed.
The event, originally scheduled for 3:00pm, was delayed until 5:15pm due to demonstrations by private university students who felt sidelined despite their involvement in the July uprising.
The protest escalated into a physical altercation between private university students and supporters of the new group.
As Abu Baker Majumder, former SAD coordinator and now convener of the Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, was announcing the leadership structure, he was surrounded by protesting students who demanded the inclusion of Rifat Rashid, a key figure in the July movement.
However, Rashid had already been incorporated into the leadership.
A procession led by the new student body was later disrupted near the Lecture Theater building, resulting in a clash.
Several private university students sustained injuries, with at least two requiring treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.
Leadership Structure and Controversies
The central committee of Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad includes:
- Convener: Abu Baker Majumder
- Member Secretary: Zahid Ahsan
- Senior Joint Convener: Touhid Siam (Jahangirnagar University)
- Senior Joint Secretary: Rifat Rashid
- Chief Organiser: Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury
- Spokesperson: Ashrefa Khatun
The Dhaka University unit is led by:
- Convener: Abdul Kader (DU Institute of Social Welfare and Research, former SAD coordinator)
- Member Secretary: Muhir Alam (Mathematics Department)
- Senior Joint Secretary: Limon Mahmud Hasan
- Senior Joint Member Secretary: Al Amin Sarker
- Chief Organiser: Hasib Al Islam
- Spokesperson: Rafia Rehnuma Hridy
The new committee’s formation has also raised eyebrows due to past affiliations of some members. Hasib Al Islam, a former key coordinator of SAD, previously sparked controversy by publicly stating that the July uprising "would not have been possible without arson and police killings," leading to a show-cause notice against him.
Meanwhile, Al Amin Sarker, another active figure in the uprising, was previously associated with the now-banned Chhatra League.
He served as deputy secretary for scholarships at DU's Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall Chhatra League unit in 2022 but resigned during the protests.
Response from Leadership
Commenting on the protests, Abu Baker Majumder stated, “Our organisation will work to fulfill students' aspirations based on the spirit of the July uprising. However, certain protests today appeared to be influenced by external agendas. We remain open to discussions to address valid concerns.”
