The National Citizens Committee made its debut on Sunday, as a platform to channel the hopes and aspirations of the various sections of society that came together led by the Anti-Discrimination Students movement, to topple the previous Awami League-led government last August 5, reports UNB.
The 55-member committee announced today will work towards realising a political settlement among the various stakeholders and will remain committed to eradicating fascism in all its forms from society. To that end, it will act as a pressure group to restructure the state.
Convenor Muhammad Nasiruddin Patwari announced the committee on behalf of the organization at an event at the Central Shaheed Minar in the afternoon. Nasiruddin has been a member of the Anti-Discrimination Students (ADS) movement's Liaison Committee.
Akhtar Hossain, an ex-DUCSU secretary for social welfare, and central convener of Democratic Student Power (Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti), an alternative students' platform that was formed last year, will serve as the NCC's member secretary. Akhtar was a leading figure in the ADS movement.
Although he was careful to avoid the limelight, detectives eventually figured out his role and he was picked up by law enforcers on July 17. He would not be released till after Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country.
Samantha Sharmin, a graduate of Dhaka University's Fine Arts Department who also played a leading role in the ADS movement, has been named as the NCC's spokesperson.
In a written statement coinciding with the launch of the NCC, Samantha said they have started their work by forming a convening committee.
They said they will initiate discussions with social, cultural and religious leaders, as well as people of various classes and professions who participated in the student-led uprising at all metropolitan, district and upazila levels very soon.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
