Hasnat Abdullah, a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has issued a stern warning to the Awami League and its affiliates, advising them against relying on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to maintain control over Bangladesh.
He made the statement on Thursday while speaking to the media at Shahbagh during the day’s event as part of “Resistance Week”.
Accusing the Awami League government of being overly dependent on India, Hasnat criticized their approach to Bangladesh's sovereignty. "When you appeal to India regarding our elections, you undermine the sovereignty of our country," he said. "Your boat has already sunk—it’s pointless to search for oars to steer it. Don’t expect Modi to save you."
He further condemned the Awami League for allegedly seeking India's interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, as evidenced by recent remarks from Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
"They’ve turned away from the people and are now leaning on Modi to secure power. Their requests to Modi to expedite elections only highlight their disconnection from the masses," he asserted.
Addressing rumors and misinformation circulating in the media and on social platforms, Hasnat accused the Awami League of laundering vast sums of money abroad, which he claimed could be used to destabilize the country. "We’ve seen international media portray political issues as communal conflicts, part of a propaganda campaign that we will continue to resist," he added.
When asked about the ongoing protests, he reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to its goals. "We are here to observe our Resistance Week. We will remain on the streets until our demands are met."
Sarjis Alam, another coordinator of the movement, also warned the Awami League against attempting to stage a counter-coup. "If they try, they will cease to exist. The students are on the ground and will stay there," he said, directly referencing the Awami League's youth wings, Chhatra League and Jubo League.
Earlier in the day, a group of students led by Sarjis marched to Shahbagh around 11:30 am, chanting slogans and briefly occupying the intersection before moving to the front of the National Museum, where they remained for several hours.
On the Dhaka University campus, students, particularly from private universities, showed their support for the day’s program, while Dhaka University students observed the day more quietly.
In a parallel demonstration, members of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) held a day-long sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar. Starting at 10 am, they demanded accountability for the Awami League government's actions over the past 16 years, including calling for the death penalty for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom they accused of masterminding various crimes.