Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti
Ganotantrik Chhatra Shakti গণতান্ত্রিক ছাত্রশক্তি | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 4 September 2023 |
| Dissolved | 14 September 2024 |
| Headquarters | Dhaka |
Ganotantrik Chhatra Shakti (lit. Democratic Student Power) was a student political organization in Bangladesh. Akhtar Hossain and other students announced the formation of the organization on 4 October 2023. About six weeks after the Student–People's uprising forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign on 5 August 2024, the organization was dissolved. Two leaders became advisors in the interim government of Bangladesh.
History
Akhter Hossain was president of the Dhaka University branch of Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad. He resigned in July 2023 over differences with the central vice president of the organization, Nurul Haque Nur. On 4 October 2023, Hossain and other students, many of whom were former associates of Nur, announced the creation of a new organization, Ganotantrik Chhatra Shakti. Hossain was the convener of the group,[1] while Nahid Islam was its member secretary. A central committee of 21 members was announced.[2]
The organization stated their principles as education, peace, and freedom.[3] They gave their five aims as: restructuring the education system; building political figures, scope and culture; student welfare; establishing political connections between students and civil society; and restructuring the state-political system.[4]
In 2024, the quota reform movement and the non-cooperation movement were successfully completed under the leadership of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement.[5] In the leadership of these movements, members of Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti were present.[6] Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign on 5 August, in part as a result of the efforts of Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti members in the non-cooperation movement.
The organization was dissolved on 14 September 2024. Various reasons were given: that its goals had been achieved,[7] that most of its leaders were no longer active in the organization,[8] and that some Dhaka University students had demanded that party-based student politics be banned on campus.[9]
Notable members
Two leaders of the organization, Asif Mahmud and Nahid Islam, became advisors in the interim government of Bangladesh in August 2024. Mahmud was given responsibility for the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Islam was given responsibility for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology.[10][11][12]
References
- ^ নতুন সংগঠন গণতান্ত্রিক ছাত্রশক্তির ঘোষণা দিয়ে ফেরার পথে হামলার শিকার নেতা–কর্মীরা [Leaders and activists attacked on their way back after announcing the new organization, Democratic Student Power]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
- ^ আত্মপ্রকাশের দিনেই ছাত্রশক্তির নেতাকর্মীদের মারধরের অভিযোগ ছাত্রলীগের বিরুদ্ধে [Chhatra League accused of beating Chhatra Shakti leaders and activists on the day of its debut]. The Daily Star (in Bengali). 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ নতুন ছাত্রসংগঠন 'গণতান্ত্রিক ছাত্রশক্তি' [New student organization 'Democratic Student Power']. Kaler Kantho (Press release) (in Bengali). 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ সাবেক ডাকসু নেতা আখতারের নেতৃত্ব স্বতন্ত্র ছাত্র সংগঠন 'গণতান্ত্রিক ছাত্রশক্তি'র আত্মপ্রকাশ [Independent student organization 'Ganatantrik Chhatrashakti' led by former DUCSU leader Akhtar makes debut]. Channel 24 (Press release) (in Bengali). 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
- ^ পদত্যাগ করে দেশ ছেড়েছেন শেখ হাসিনা [Sheikh Hasina resigns and leaves the country]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ Shuvo, Ariful Hasan (16 August 2024). "If the youth abandon politics, the entire nation will suffer: Sarjis Alam". The Business Standard.
- ^ "Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti suspends all committees and activities". Bonik Barta. 14 September 2024.
- ^ "Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti dissolved". The Daily Star. 15 September 2024.
- ^ "Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti's committees dissolved, activities suspended". The Business Standard. 14 September 2024.
- ^ "Nahid gets ICT Ministry, Asif to head Sports Ministry". Daily Sun. 2024-08-09.
- ^ "List of officials (not in order of seniority)". ptd.gov.bd. 2024-08-09. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ "List of Officers (Not in order of seniority)". moysports.gov.bd. 2024-08-09. Retrieved 2024-08-17.