Attempt to file case against uprising leaders a planned attack: Nahid Islam

Jatiyo Nagorik Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Md Nahid Islam has described the reported attempt to file a case against coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) over their role during the July uprising as a “planned political attack.”

In a statement sent to the media on Friday, Nahid said an attempt had been made to file a case naming Asif Mahmud as the prime accused over activities related to the July uprising led by the student movement. However, the court did not accept the case.

He termed the move alarming and condemnable in the context of the country’s political situation following the mass uprising.

“This is not merely an isolated action against an individual; rather it is a well-orchestrated political attack on the spirit of the July revolution, the anti-fascist struggle and the young leadership that emerged from that movement,” the statement read.

Nahid said the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has become a symbol of the younger generation’s aspirations for equality, justice, human dignity, democracy and resistance against authoritarianism.

According to him, attempts to initiate harassment cases against student leaders indicate that the defeated forces of August 5 are still engaged in various conspiracies.

The opposition chief whip further said that attempts to suppress the leadership of the movement through legal harassment or intimidation had failed in the past and would also fail in the future.

He urged the government and relevant authorities to take effective measures to prevent such attempts and to initiate legal action against those responsible, adding that any activities of “fascist forces” would be resisted.