The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has unveiled its 18-member central executive committee. The announcement was made in a press release on Thursday night. According to the release, the committee will include the convener, member secretary, chief organiser, and spokesperson as ex officio members. This marks a significant step in the organisational structure of the movement. The newly announced 18 members of the central executive committee are: Md Mahin Sarkar, Rashidul Islam Rifat, Nusrat Tabassum, Lutfur Rahman, Ahnaf Saeed Khan, Tarekul Islam (Tarek Reza), Tarikul Islam, Md Meherab Hossain Sifat, Asadullah Al Galib, Mohammad Rakib, Cynthia Jahin Ayesha, Asad Bin Rony, Naim Abedin, Mahmuda Sultana Rimi, Ibrahim Nirab, Rasel Ahmed, Rafiqul Islam Ainy, and Muinul Islam Hasnat. Read: Student movement to lay siege to High Court on Wed This announcement follows the dissolution of the movement’s coordination team on 22 October, which was replaced by a four-member convening committee. The convening committee comprised Hasnat Abdullah as convener, Arif Sohel as member secretary, Abdul Hannan Masud as chief organiser, and Umama Fatema as spokesperson. Until now, the convening committee had been overseeing the organisation's activities. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement continues to position itself as a key voice against societal inequalities, with this newly formed committee expected to steer its initiatives forward.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced a mass gathering at Zero Point in Gulistan, Dhaka, demanding the trial of the fallen 'autocratic' government led by Awami League. The program will be held tomorrow, starting at 12 PM. This has been confirmed by the coordinator of the movement, Umama Fatema. Umama's fellow coordinator Hasnat Abdullah shared on his Facebook page that similar programs are being organized in districts across the country under this theme. He emphasized that the protests should avoid any public inconvenience or violence. He warned that the Awami League's "terrorists" might engage in vandalism and arson in disguise, intending to blame students and the public. He urged that any Awami League members found should be handed over to the police. Hasnat also mentioned that the gathering will be a spontaneous participation of all political, cultural parties, and organizations that support the people's uprising. Earlier, Awami League announced a program on the same day at the same venue, just a few hours later at 3pm - ostensibly to mark Noor Hossain Day. The party stated on its verified Facebook page: "Join us in Dhaka in masses to protect independence, sovereignty, democracy, and establish justice." Read: 2 buses burnt in Dhaka’s Gulistan since this morning This was AL's first call for such a program since August 5. Interest around the proposed program peaked with the leak of a call record over the weekend, where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina is heard urging a junior activist to stage a showdown on occasion of Noor Hossain Day, taking advantage of what she perceives to be the interim government's weakness at the moment. She is also heard instructing the worker to adorn the usual posters for the meeting featuring images of Hasina herself, and her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, with that of US president-elect, as well as formerly, Donald Trump - in a naked attempt to stoke the Republican's ego and enlist his support for the return of AL and Hasina to power in Bangladesh. Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary of the Chief Advisor, wrote on his Facebook that Awami League, as a fascist party, will not be allowed to organise any protests in Bangladesh. Alam warned of a strong law enforcement response against anyone attempting to organize rallies, marches, or meetings under the instructions of the "mass murderer" and autocrat, Sheikh Hasina.

Representatives from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee on Saturday discussed various issues with the BNP, including the removal of the President. After the meeting, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Convener Hasnat Abdullah briefed reporters about the outcome, but there was no statement from the BNP. The seven-member delegation of student leaders arrived at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office around 5:15 PM and had a closed-door meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, and Joint Secretary General Shaheeduddin Chowdhury. Hasnat Abdullah said they mainly discussed three issues—the proclamation of the Second Republic, the removal of the President, and consolidating national unity. "As you know, we earlier called for national unity, urging all democratic political parties to come together to bring down the fascist Sheikh Hasina. This was a preliminary step," he said. "Currently, we face obstacles in fully eliminating fascism, particularly Chuppu (President Mohammad Shahabuddin). He should be removed. For the past two days, we have been in talks over these issues with prominent political parties in our country that participated in the mass uprising. We’ve discussed these matters with the BNP," Hasnat said. Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah demands removal of President In the meeting, he said, they discussed how to declare the Proclamation of the Second Republic, how to quickly remove the President based on political consensus, and how to avoid any kind of crisis. "We also talked about how to strengthen national unity." Besides the BNP, he mentioned they also spoke with Jamaat and Islami Andolon about it, and they agreed with their position. "Jamaat has already clarified its position, stating the President has no moral grounds to remain in his post," Hasnat said. He noted that Islami Andolon also expressed a desire for the prompt removal of the President based on national unity. Hasnat also said they will hold talks with other parties and alliances on these matters. "We’ll continue our discussions to reinforce the national unity that was formed before August 5 to build a new Bangladesh free from fascism." He mentioned that the discussion was held in an amicable atmosphere and that the BNP would clarify its position after discussion in their party forum. "We hope they will come up with a positive response." Apart from Hasnat, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement spokesperson Umma Fatema, Member Secretary Arif Shohel, Organiser Abdul Hannan Masud, Jatiya Nagorik Committee Convener Nasiruddin Patoari, Spokesperson Samantha Sharmin, and member Akhter Hossain were among the seven leaders present. Nasir Uddin Patiwari said, "Chuppu must go, but we are not setting a specific timeframe."

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Mohibur Rahman Manik, a former Member of Parliament for Sunamganj-5, from the Bashundhara residential area of the capital on Tuesday. His arrest is linked to attacks on students and the public during the anti-discrimination student movement in the Sunamganj Sadar area. ASP Imran Khan of RAB headquarters’ media wing confirmed the arrest. Read: DB arrests ex-MP Abdullah Al Jakob from Dhaka's Gulshan A case was registered against Mohibur, aka 'Boma' or 'Bomb' Manik apparently, at the Sunamganj Sadar Police Station following the events of the anti-discrimination protests. The case number is 05/258, filed on August 4, 2024, the eve of the previous regime's fall. The arrested Ex-MP is currently being processed for transfer to the Detective Branch (DB) office in Dhaka for further investigation. Read more: Ex-MP Sultan Mohammad Mansur held at Dhaka airport

The six coordinators of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement who were taken into DB custody have been released. The six coordinators were freed from DB custody around 1:30 pm on Thursday. Rifat Rashid, one of the coordinators, confirmed their release in a Facebook post. Law Minister Anisul Huq told reporters at the secretariat today that the quota protest coordinators left DB office this afternoon. "It is also true that they had sought security from us. A GD was also filed in this regard. Now they say they don't need security anymore, when they expressed their desire to leave, we did not obstruct them. They have gone. “ The DB took six key coordinators-Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, Abu Bakar Mojumdar, Sarjess Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, and Nusrat Tabassum- into custody on July 27,28 and 29. On Sunday afternoon, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Deputy Commissioner Harun or Rashid, who was transferred from DB on Wednesday, said the coordinators were detained for "security reasons." UN experts are welcome to probe every incident of quota violence: PM Hasina   In a video message released while under police custody, Nahid Islam, a coordinator of the quota reform movement, announced the withdrawal of their protest programme on Sunday night. Coordinators not under police custody moved quickly to assure the movement's supporters that this was to be expected, and they agreed beforehand to reject or disregard any statement they or their fellow coordinators made while under police custody. Effectively accused was coerced into making this statement under duress. Later, a photo of the coordinators at a dining table was posted on Harunur Rashid's Facebook page, followed shortly by the release of Nahid Islam’s video message. Hearing on writ petition seeking quota coordinators release not held Despite this announcement, other coordinator of the quota movement from different universities including Dhaka University issued statements vowing to continue their protests until their nine-point demands are met.

Police dispersed protesters when they attempted to march towards Subidbazar area of Sylhet city on Wednesday (July 31, 2024) as part of ‘March for Justice’ programme announced by Anti-discrimination Student Movement to press home their 9-point demand. The protesters started taking position at the main gate of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) from 11 am. Police who had taken position there before their arrival obstructed them, said witnesses. Later, more students joined and started chanting slogans. At around 12:30 pm, hundreds of students marched to the city's court point. Read more: Tense situation as protesters hold ‘March for Justice’ demonstration in Chattogram Court premises A clash broke when the protesters tried to move towards Subidbazar and police restored to tear gas shells and sound grenade to disperse them, reports our correspondent from the spot.