Leaving only the central committee active, all regional and institutional committees of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement across Bangladesh have been suspended. This decision was announced by the organization’s president, Rifat Rashid, at an emergency press conference held in Shahbagh, Dhaka, on Sunday evening.
The suspension follows alarming reports that coordinators of the movement across the country have formed extortion syndicates. These individuals have reportedly been creating mobs and openly harassing people who support the Awami League and the spirit of the Liberation War. In addition to extortion, numerous allegations have surfaced against them, including misconduct, corruption, robbery, theft, and looting.
In the press conference, Rifat Rashid stated, “We are witnessing various crimes being committed under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement by individuals, both named and unnamed. Many of them, under political protection or having gone astray, are engaging in extortion and corruption, which has become difficult for us to control. Therefore, we are announcing the suspension of all committee activities, except for the central committee.”
He further warned that any misconduct committed under the movement’s name from now on will be subject to legal action.
This announcement came a day after five individuals—including three leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and one from the Democratic Student Union—were arrested for allegedly attempting to extort money from the residence of a former Member of Parliament in Dhaka’s Gulshan area.
On Saturday night, police arrested Ibrahim Hossain (Munna), Dhaka Metropolitan Convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement; Md. Sakadaun Siam; Sadman Sadab; and Abdur Razzak Bin Sulaiman (alias Riyad), a central committee member of the Democratic Student Union, from the house of former MP Shammi Ahmed in Gulshan. Following their arrest, they were taken into custody and, today on 27 July, 2024, a court granted a seven-day remand for interrogation in connection with the case filed at Gulshan Police Station.
Several months ago, under the initiative of leaders from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, the Bangladesh Democratic Student Union was formed as a separate student organization. Before its establishment, Abdur Razzak was appointed joint convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s united private university committee in February.
In the extortion case, police told the court that the accused had been collecting money through threats, posing as coordinators. According to the case statement, on July 17, Abdur Razzak (Riyad) and Kazi Gaurab Apu went to former MP Shammi Ahmed’s residence and demanded Tk 5 million (50 lakh) in extortion, threatening arrest if the money wasn’t paid. Her husband ended up giving them Tk 1 million (10 lakh). On the following day, Abdur Razzak and his associates returned to the residence, prompting the police to intervene and arrest the five individuals involved.
