United News of Bangladesh

Two days after NCP’s chief organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah made a bombshell Facebook post about a meeting at the Cantonment, its chief organiser (North) Sarjis Alam downplayed the issue, saying he felt no pressure regarding the ‘Refined Awami League’. “Although the Army chief’s language was more straightforward compared to previous occasions, I did not feel that he was 'pressuring the Refined Awami League.' Rather, he spoke with great confidence and explained if the ‘Refined Awami’ League doesn’t not participate, the long-term political instability and problems in the country would likely intensify,” he wrote. He does not think the way these issues were shared on Facebook was appropriate and in the long run, this could create trust issues with any stakeholder in future important discussions, he said in a Facebook post with ‘few corrections, additions and deletions from his perspective’ regarding the meeting with the Army chief’. Sarjis Alam said he does not see the Army chief's statement as a direct 'proposal' but rather as a 'direct expression of opinion.'  There is a difference between 'expressing an opinion' and 'making a proposal,' he wrote in the post. He said he disagrees with some parts of Hasnat's remarks. No compromise on question of Awami League: Hasnat There were discussions on topics like "refined Awami League, Saber Hossain, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Sohel Taj," which came in Hasnat's points, he said. He acknowledged that they discussed whether the Awami League would return, what would happen if they were or weren't part of the elections, when they might return, or whether they would return at all and how these equations could affect the country’s stability or instability. “However, the tone in which Hasnat presented in the Facebook post makes me think that the conversation wasn’t as extreme as he portrayed. It was definitely more straightforward and confident than on other days, but it wasn’t overly extreme. The Army Chief’s opinion on the necessity of the refined Awami League’s participation for the country's stability was clearly stated.” He also explained that they were not invited to the Army headquarters that day. When necessary, they communicated with the Army Chief’s Military Adviser via messages, where they exchanged some questions and answers. “As a human being, every individual or group interprets opinions in their own way. On that day, Hasnat observed and received the Army chief's statement from his perspective and shared it on the Facebook. I have some disagreement with his take on it.” Hasnat also mentioned another part of the conversation: “At one point, I said, ‘the party that has not apologised yet, has not admitted its crimes, how can you forgive them?’ The other party angrily replied, ‘You people know nothing. You lack wisdom and experience. We’ve been in this service for at least forty years, longer than your age.’” “The narrative about "Hasnat vs. Waker" is not something I expect. Hasnat’s position is different, and so is the Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman's. It is never appropriate to position the Bangladesh Army against other political parties or the people. Moreover, the mention of the Army chief's resignation in some places is not our stance." “In addition to all of this, I would like to express my personal opinion. I could be wrong, but I feel that this is the right view at the moment. During the interim government period, someone from the Bangladesh Army maintains contact with other political parties regarding the country’s overall situation. They maintain their privacy. Even though we might have some direct disagreements with the topics discussed with the Army chief, we could have discussed them in detail in our party forums, made decisions, and implemented programs accordingly.” Midnight bombshell from Hasnat sparks renewed calls to ban Awami League “Alternatively, through dialogue with other political parties, we could have taken a united stand and taken to the streets against any version of the Awami League, just as we are doing now. Or, if other political parties didn't agree with us, we could have taken to the streets alone, representing only our party’s demands. Even today, if anyone points a gun at Hasnat, we are committed to standing in front of him. But when I feel there’s a need to correct a fellow comrade’s perspective, I will do so. It was this conscience that led us to the front row when a few individuals stood against the quota system on June 6 at the Shaheed Minar. He wrote that their movement will continue against the entry of any version of the Awami League, responsible for the July genocide, the BDR killings and the killings at Shapla Chattar.  

Sarjis Alam, the central coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has called on the younger generation to unite for building a new Bangladesh. Speaking at a public rally near the Ilisha Fountain in Bhola on Friday afternoon, Sarjis stressed the importance of inclusivity in shaping the nation's future. Jatiya Nagarik Committee to remain non-political: Sarjis Alam “In the uprising that saw us shedding blood and sacrificing lives, the dreams we hold for Bangladesh must be preserved. These aspirations must be documented in a declaration, but the content must not reflect the views of a select few. It should resonate with the voices of people from every district, sub-district, and social stratum of the country,” he said. Alam also highlighted the collective effort in ousting what he described as the "autocratic killer regime" of Sheikh Hasina. “This movement united people across parties, beliefs, religions, ages, and classes. It is now our responsibility to listen to every citizen and work towards fulfilling the aspirations of the masses for a brighter Bangladesh,” he added. Talking about local issues, Alam urged people to stand against extortion and corruption, irrespective of the offenders’ social or professional status. He specifically pointed out incidents in Bhola where law enforcement officials were allegedly involved in violence against protesters. “Justice must be served for the officers who opened fire indiscriminately on our brothers, including Jasim. Their punishment should go beyond mere transfers,” he said.

Jatiya Nagorik Committee staged a protest on Wednesday night at Dhaka University’s Raju Sculpture, condemning the attempted murder of Anti-Discrimination Students Movement conveners Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam. The two were reportedly targeted in a deliberate truck run-over incident while returning from Chattogram on Wednesday. Students from various residential halls of Dhaka University joined the protest, extending solidarity against the attack. Akthar Hossen, the member secretary of the committee and former social service secretary of Ducsu, put forward four key demands during the demonstration. 11-member committee announced at first national Anti-Corruption Coordination Council conference The demands are liberating Bangladeshi Hindu community members from the influence of extremist Hinduism, arresting and prosecuting those responsible for creating instability in the country, identifying and appropriately punishing individuals involved in the violation of Hindu human rights over the past 15 years, and implementing effective measures to ensure the security and dignity of minority communities.  “There is a conspiracy against Bangladesh. Attempts are being made to create a division between Hindus and Muslims. But the people of Bangladesh have demonstrated that they will not fall into such traps. We, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and indigenous communities, are prepared to sacrifice our lives to protect our country,” Akhtar said. Car of Sarjis and Hasnat's convoy involved in accident Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud also addressed the gathering, saying, “The conspirators believe that by targeting Hasnat and Sarjis, they can undermine Bangladesh’s sovereignty. But from secretaries to labourers, every citizen of this nation is a warrior. No one will accept Delhi's dominance or any form of fascism. Everyone is ready to lay down their life for this land.”

A car in the convoy of Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, was involved in an accident at 7:30 pm on Wednesday in Chattogram while returning after the burial of murdered lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.  The car's front end was severely damaged, but fortunately, no one was injured. The car collided head-on with a truck at the Haji Road intersection in Chunti union, Lohagara. ‘Ban ISKCON, arrest Advocate Alif’s killers in 24 hours’: Hasnat Abdullah Arifur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Lohagara Police Station, confirmed the incident and stated that Police seized the truck and arrested the driver. A general diary (GD) has been filed at the police station regarding the accident, he added.  

Sarjis Alam, a prominent coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that recently played a central role in unseating the Sheikh Hasina-led government, clarified that their writ petitions to the High Court did not call for an outright ban on the Awami League or its registration as a political party. In a post on his verified Facebook page, Sarjis clarified the specifics of two writ petitions filed with the High Court on Monday. He said that neither petition directly seeks to ban the AL, addressing the confusion that had arisen across social media platforms, particularly on Facebook, regarding the petition’s intent. Rail authorities taking action after 'Awami League Zindabad' slogan displayed at Kamalapur According to Sarjis’s statement, the two writs filed include: A request for an explanation as to why the last three elections held under the Awami League’s governance should not be declared illegal, alongside a demand that any wealth accumulated unlawfully during this period be returned. A request for the AL to be barred from political activities until a verdict is reached on the matter. Sarjis, along with Hasnat Abdullah, another coordinator from the student movement, filed the petitions, which seek restrictions on the political activities of the former ruling party but do not call for a ban on its existence or official registration. 'Awami League plotting rehabilitation’: Hasnat Abdullah The clarifications from Sarjis come amid widespread speculation on social media, with many online users initially misinterpreting the petition as a request to prohibit the AL from functioning as a political entity altogether.