TDS Desk:

Anti-discrimination Student Movement on Monday held a rally on Dhaka University (DU) campus demanding trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by filing a case with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for her alleged involvement in killings of over 400 students and civilians centring the Quota Reform Movement.

Central coordinators of the student platform spoke at the rally, among others.

Besides, the demonstrators demanded a ban on ‘politics of occupation’ on campuses across the country and restoration of regular student union elections.

They gathered at the base of Raju Memorial Sculpture adjacent to the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) at 4:00pm.

Residential students of DU halls in groups brought out processions and attended the rally.

Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah said attempts were made in various ways to repatriate Sheikh Hasina and rehabilitate her ‘associate killers’ in the country and bring her back to power.

Hinting at advisers to the interim government, Hasnat said, “They became advisors through the popular uprising of students and public. Therefore, before making statements, you should remember the scenario of Gono Bhaban on August 5.”

He warned about rehabilitating ‘killers’, stating that since they have just removed autocrats from power, it will not take long to remove those attempting to rehabilitate them.

Regarding student politics on campuses, Hasnat mentioned that their struggle was against the terror enforced by student wing of the former ruling party on campuses.

The Daily Observer later contacted Hasnat for clarification what they actually meant by ‘politics of occupation’.

Hasnat said, “We saw that student organisations were implementing ideologies and programmes of their parent parties on campuses. They used to occupy residential halls and hold students hostage to attend their programmes. We do not want such student politics to stage a comeback.”

He stressed the need for reforms in student politics and an end to political tailism.

“Student politics won’t be banned,” Hasnat added.

Addressing the rally, Coordinator Sarjis Alam said after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, some conspirators attempted a coup from the following day.

“Students and the public managed to stop them. When there was an attempt to stage a judicial coup, your tireless efforts managed to prevent it. However, a faction is still conspiring to undermine our revolution,” Sarjis said, adding that the student and the public will not allow their plans to succeed.

He demanded exemplary punishment of Sheikh Hasina by the ICC.

Former DU Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Social Services Secretary Akhtar Hossain said that they would use all their power to thwart ‘Sheikh Hasina’s conspiracies.’