Anti-discrimination Movement, Citizens’ Committee announce new party formation

The groups aim to gather public input on the party’s name and symbol

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens’ Committee have announced they are establishing a new political party.

The two organisations are gathering the opinions of people from across the broad social spectrum on the formation of the party, its name, and its electoral symbol.

Hasnat Abdullah, on behalf of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, made the announcement at a press conference at his office at Rupayan Trade Center in Dhaka’s Bangla Motor on Wednesday afternoon.

He said, "On Aug 5, 2024, in the face of the bloody uprising of the students and the public, we were able to overthrow the ‘genocidal, fascist’ Hasina and the Awami ‘fascist government’. But even though the ‘fascist’ Awami League fell, the existing fascist elements in the state structure were not eliminated.”

“One phase of the mass uprising, namely the abolition of the fascist system and the implementation of a new political arrangement, the formation of a new state structure, the institutionalisation of democracy, and the work of building a Bangladesh of equality, human dignity, and social justice remains unfinished.

Hasnat continued: “The people of this land have repeatedly expressed their desire to establish a democratic state free from oppression and exploitation through the Pakistan Movement of 1947, the great Liberation War of 1971, and the uprising of 1990. But the existing political structures and parties have repeatedly failed to retain and realise this desire.

"We, along with the anti-fascist people, are taking the initiative to form a political party, incorporating the new aspirations and vision of the youth, and the citizens from all walks of life who participated in the uprising."

He said the two groups have started a nationwide process to gather public opinions on expectations and determine priorities for the new political party.

The consultation aims to engage all committees and their broad network of activists across the country.

The idea is to engage with more than 100,000 people from rickshawpullers, shopkeepers, daily wage workers, domestic workers, teachers, sweepers and people from all walks of life to seek their views on the future direction of the new political party.

The Movement convenor stressed that the new party is committed to representing not just a few but the voices of many.

“This party will represent those excluded by the current political system. Our goal is to build a new political culture by listening to the voices of all citizens,” he said.

Hasnat described this as a unique initiative in Bangladesh's political history, where public opinion is being gathered on such a wide scale.

According to him, both the Anti-discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens' Committee will continue as independent political platforms to uphold the spirit of the July Revolution and work together to form a political party that truly represents the people.

National Citizens' Committee Convenor Nasiruddin Patwari said, "Through this campaign, we will reach out to 100,000 people from different walks of life offline. We will also reach out to 100,000 people online and through technology.”