Multiple leaders have stepped down from the newly formed Anti-Discrimination Student Movement committee at Jagannath University (JnU), with students declaring the committee unwanted.
On Thursday, the committee list was published, but many of those included in the list opposed it.
According to them, the committee was formed to benefit a specific group while excluding qualified individuals.
Disappointed students claim that despite being labeled an anti-discrimination committee, many have faced discrimination within it. They argue that the general students led the movement, but a selective group has now taken control of the committee to maintain their dominance.
Shahin Mia, senior joint convener of the committee, resigned and posted on Facebook, saying: "This committee has been formed with the close associates of former coordinator Noor Nabi. There was no evaluation of merit, only loyalty to Noor Nabi. We do not accept this personally motivated committee."
Ferdous Sheikh, who resigned from the position of joint convener, criticized the process, saying: "The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement was a platform of emotion, but my name was added to the committee without my knowledge. They couldn't even spell my name correctly. We initially made a list of 90 students, but without informing us, the committee was suddenly announced."
He added: "Many of my fellow activists and brothers have been deliberately excluded. Therefore, I declare this committee unwanted at JnU and resign from this syndicate-controlled body."
Several other deprived students have also expressed their discontent on Facebook, sarcastically pointing out the discrimination within the so-called anti-discrimination committee.
However, Masud Rana, the newly appointed convener, defended the formation, saying: "The committee was approved by Hasnat Abdullah and Arif Sohel. If there is any responsibility to be taken, it is theirs.”
He added: “The movement was never individual-centric, but for effective political organization, like-minded individuals are needed. I have seen only three people complaining because they did not get their desired positions, despite holding significant roles."
Central leader and JnU student Noor Nabi dismissed the allegations, saying: "The claim that the committee members follow one person's orders is illogical. The committee consists of JnU students who actively participated in the movement, regardless of political affiliations. A few are making accusations simply because they didn’t get the positions they wanted."
The controversy arose after the central conveners, Hasnat Abdullah and Arif Sohel, signed and published the committee list on Thursday night.
The committee appointed Masud Rana from the Physics Department as Convener and Sifat Hasan from the English Department as Member Secretary. However, the announcement immediately led to a wave of resignations from key members.
