New student organisation announces full convening committee, Rifat Rashid resigns

It describes the conflict at the group's launch event as 'unexpected'

A 205-strong central convening committee for the newly-formed student organisation Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, or Bangladesh Democratic Students Union, led by a faction involved in the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, has been announced.

Senior Joint Member Secretary Rifat Rashid, who was a coordinator of the Movement, resigned from the new organisation due to not being offered a more prominent role.

The organisation described the clash and conflict during its launch event at Dhaka University's Madhu’s Canteen on Wednesday as "unexpected”.

On Thursday, the group’s Convenor Abu Baker Majumder confirmed Rifat’s resignation.

He explained that while Rifat's name had been initially included in the central committee, he withdrew from his position on Wednesday evening citing personal reasons.

In a Facebook post on Thursday evening, Rifat said: "My name was announced as the joint member secretary in the central convening committee of the new student organisation Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad.

“I would like to make it clear that my confirmation was not sought before my name was included in the committee.

“There were several rounds of discussions, but they were unfruitful. Therefore, without my permission, my name was included in the committee, and I have resigned from this position."

There were demands from a faction of the organisation for Rifat to be given a more prominent position in the new committee.

In a press conference at Dhaka University's Madhu's Canteen on Thursday afternoon, Abu Baker said: “A third party intentionally created confusion and chaos at the event.”

He said a three-strong investigation committee had been formed to thoroughly investigate the incident.

Baker said, "If organisational action needs to be taken against anyone, it will be."

The committee consists of Dhaka University student Tahmid Al Mudassir, Jahangirnagar University student Touhid Mohammad Siam, and East West University student Nayeem Abedin.

They are expected to submit their report within seven working days.

Regarding the announcement of the central executive committee, Convenor Baker said: "The process of forming the full central committee and unit committees at all universities is a lengthy one.

“It will take around six months to divide institutions across the country into units and form and plan the committees,” he concluded.