Anti-discrimination student movement raises three-point demands

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement on Sunday raised three-point demands, including the unconditional release of Mahdi Hasan, member secretary of its Habiganj district unit, alleging that he was arrested without evidence and later framed in a harassment case.

Leaders of the organisation raised the demands at a press conference held in front of Madhur Canteen on the Dhaka University campus at around 6:30pm.

At the briefing, the leaders claimed that Mahdi Hasan had been detained and arrested without any specific charge and subsequently implicated in a case to harass him.

Sinthiya Jaheen Ayesha, spokesperson of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, said a planned “media trial” is being carried out against those associated with the July movement.

She alleged that sensational news is being published without proper verification, which she said aims to socially humiliate activists.

“In some cases there may be individual crimes, but these are being exaggerated without basis to defame the entire movement,” she said.

She also referred to the recent arrest of Tahrimah Jannat Suravi, claiming that allegations of extorting Tk50 crore are inconsistent with reality.

She added that a minimum level of investigation should have been conducted before raising such serious accusations against a woman leading a normal life.

The organisation’s three-point demands include ensuring the unconditional release of Mahdi Hasan and withdrawing the officer-in-charge of Shayestganj Police Station in Habiganj.

It also demanded the issuance of a presidential ordinance granting immunity to students, workers and members of the public for all activities carried out between 1 July 8 and August during the July mass uprising.

Besides, they called for the state to officially recognise the role of members of the military, paramilitary and civil administration- including the army, navy and air force- who, it claimed, made significant contributions to the July Revolution.

It also demanded the formation of a permanent commission to ensure respect, legal protection and an end to harassment, as well as the swift promotion of officials who have allegedly been deprived of promotion since 25 February 2009.