"We will maintain our organization without any liaisons"

Tahmid Al Mudassir Chowdhury, a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and a potential leader of the upcoming political student organization, spoke exclusively to Dhaka Tribune’s Mahathir Mohammed, sharing his views on the new student group.

In a press conference, you mentioned that you won’t be engaging in liaison-based politics. How do you plan to eliminate liaison politics?

Liaison politics can be identified when an organization depends on a mother party for decision-making or receives funding from them. We plan to fund our organization solely through a fixed membership fee. Our stance has always opposed liaison politics, and we aim to keep our organization completely free of any liaison connections.

Why aren’t rising leaders following established political figures?

Liaison politics refers to an entire organization aligning with a mother party. However, individuals are free to engage in party politics on a personal level, and I see no issue with that.

This is a student-led organization. What will happen to the leaders once they graduate?

This is a personal choice. If someone decides to join a political party after their studies, they are welcome to do so. Our organization will not influence anyone’s decision to align with any party. Everyone will be free to make their own choices.

How will you operate without committees in halls or academic departments?

Students have experienced the drawbacks of student politics, but there's still a need for political involvement on campus. To address this, we’ve decided to keep politics out of halls and academic areas, as students want that separation. We won’t form committees based on faculties or departments. Instead, there will be a single university-wide committee to handle campus matters, leaving halls and academic areas free of politics.

How will the ADSM platform continue once top leaders transition to political roles?

The ADSM platform will continue at its own pace, as it was formed during the Mass Uprising and holds its own significance. It will focus on preserving the memories of July, rehabilitating families of martyrs, offering treatment to the injured, and more. Its mission will remain unchanged.

Who will lead this platform in the future?

Leadership has not been decided yet, as organizational decisions are still being made. The future of the ADSM platform will be determined by who remains involved after the establishment of the new student organization.