Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
Anti-discrimination students and citizens, who spearheaded a historic mass uprising earlier this year, are preparing to launch a new political party within the next two months, according to those involved, with organizational activities having already begun at the police station level.
Even so, spokespersons for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Jatiya Nagorik Committee have said both organizations will continue to function as non-political forums.
The political party will launch under a new name, and individuals from these forums are welcome to join the new party if they wish.
Meanwhile, political leaders have expressed openness to welcoming the new party but warn that its formation under government influence could raise questions about the interim government's impartiality.
Leaders from the BNP and Jatiya Party believe any party established under government patronage would undermine the neutrality of the interim government.
Activities to form new party
In July and August, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement led a mass uprising in Bangladesh. Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime on August 5, an interim government took office under the leadership of Dr Muhammad Yunus.
Three leaders of the movement now serve as advisers in the interim government.
The movement has since been restructured, and another organization, the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, has been formed, comprising students and citizens involved in the uprising.
On December 16, Victory Day, the convener of the committee, Nasiruddin Patwary, announced that the new political party for students and citizens would be launched within two months.
"We are organizing the spontaneous power of the uprising. So far we have established 100 police station-level committees. We aim to complete all such committees within the next 15–20 days. After that students will decide how quickly they can proceed with forming the party."
Nasiruddin said both the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee would remain non-political organizations, with the new political party to be launched by the students themselves.
These two organizations would act as pressure groups, but anyone from these forums could join the political party, he added.
"We have individuals from revolutionary, civil society and political backgrounds with us. Those who wish to engage in politics are free to join the new party if it aligns with their ideals," Nasiruddin said.
Progress
Abdul Hannan Masud, a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said: "We expect the new political party to launch within two months. Preparations, including developing its constitution and manifesto, are underway.”
Discussions were ongoing regarding the party's name, Masud said, adding that leadership roles were also being finalized.
This would be a new political party, while the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Jatiya Naogrik Committee would remain as non-political entities, he emphasized.
Reactions from political parties
The formation of a political party by the student movement has sparked widespread discussions. Political leaders caution that forming a party under the interim government's influence may compromise the latter’s neutrality.
Jatiya Party Additional Secretary General Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary mentioned that the movement had led a revolution, adding that the students and others involved could form a new political party or join another if they wanted.
However, he warned that if a party was formed with the support and resources of the interim government, it would face criticism and jeopardize the government’s neutrality, also raising questions about elections under such an administration.
BNP Vice Chairman Asaduzzaman Ripon echoed similar concerns. "Anyone has the right to form a political party in Bangladesh. However, it would be improper for the government to provide unethical support to any individual or group in forming a party. Such actions would undermine the government's credibility."
In response to a question, he said if the government facilitated the formation of a party with state patronage, elections could not be held under them. “A non-partisan, neutral caretaker government will be required during the election period."
Denial of govt patronage
When asked whether the new political party was being formed with government patronage or assistance, Nasiruddin Patwary denied the claim categorically.
“The head of the interim government, Dr Yunus, has no intention of forming a political party, nor do the advisers. Those spreading such claims are doing so to create a crisis."
Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Abdul Hannan Masud said neither the movement nor the Jatiya Nagorik Committee had any representation in the interim government.
Therefore, the question of forming a party or a “king’s party” with government support was inapplicable, he added. “If that were the case, the government would have accepted all our demands, which clearly has not happened."
Elections
The new student-led political party will call for swift elections. However, both of its spokespersons stressed the importance of ensuring reforms as well as justice for what had happened during the uprising before any elections.
"We want Bangladesh to quickly transition to a democratic process. However, we first demand those who killed 2,000 people and maimed 50,000 by taking away their eyes and limbs be brought to justice. We did not get justice for 1971 and 1990; hence, we should not proceed with elections without addressing the injustices of 2024," Nasiruddin said.
Meanwhile, Masud said the new party would demand prompt elections but only after necessary reforms to ensure that no one could become a dictator again or undermine democracy.
