Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina had instructed to hold discussions with the anti-discrimination student protesters to calm the situation. However, the protest coordinators have rejected this call.
In a video message on Friday night (2 August), Abdul Hannan Masud, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, shared this information.
Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud stated, “Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif called us and invited us to meet with them at Ganabhaban. But we rejected the call and said that his hands are stained with the blood of our brothers. First, ask him to clean his hands, then we will consider whether to sit for talks.”
He further stated, “On behalf of the anti-discrimination student movement, we clearly announce that tomorrow (Saturday), protests will be held in every neighborhood across the country. From tomorrow, a full-fledged non-cooperation movement will be carried out.”
Urging all citizens to take to the streets, Hannan added, “All students, citizens, guardians, mothers, and sisters across the country, wherever you are, come to the streets from tomorrow. Do not stay at home. This is your responsibility to every martyr. If necessary, take a position under your building, but stay on the streets. We urge every party, every ideology to come to the streets.”
Earlier, on Friday night, the Prime Minister gave this directive at an emergency meeting of the Awami League at Ganabhaban. The responsibility of sitting with the coordinators has been given to Awami League Presidium Member Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, and Krishibid A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim.
The leaders stated that there was a discussion in the meeting, saying, “We have no objection to the students’ movement. Let them protest. However, we must remain vigilant and cautious to ensure that a third party does not exploit their movement for their own gain.” The party president has instructed to observe and handle the situation with patience.
