Sarjis Alam, coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, said today that he was not in favor of mass arrests solely on the basis of a person’s affiliation with the recently banned Chhatra League at the University of Dhaka.

In a Facebook post this evening, Sarjis said many students, including those involved in the movement, were compelled to get involved in the BCL.

Sarjis also said his message was specifically focused on AU.

The movement which took place at DU before and after July 1, particularly from July 1 to 15, saw the spontaneous participation of students residing in university residences, he writes.

This movement was mainly led by these students until July 15.

Those who are familiar with the DU residences know that to stay there, you often have to get involved with the student organization (BCL). Students were required to participate in their programs, attend meetings and stay in gono rooms…” he wrote.

He added: “The BCL committee in the dorms typically included about 80 percent of the students who join the organization to obtain good housing, maintain access to the dorm until they find employment, or avoid labels negative from their peers. Many of the remaining 20 percent have abused their power; some oppressed dissidents, while others aspired to leadership positions within the dormitories.

Sarjis said: “During the first phase of the 16-17 day movement centered on the AU, the most significant contributions came from these 80 percent… They united and took out banners from the dormitories to encourage non-member students to join the movement. , preventing the candidates (BCL) from stifling the demonstrations.

He stressed that if some BCL members had not come out of the dormitories, other students would not have had the courage to join them.

He said: “These students demonstrated the courage and boldness needed to move the movement forward. The reality, from the dormitory perspective, is that the momentum of the July 1-15 movement was possible thanks to these seconded students (BCL).

“Now the question is, should I label these dorm students with the BCL tag and put them in the banned category? The answer is no.”

Sarjis reiterated: “I will never support mass arrests targeting only those who were BCL members on campus. This cannot happen.”

He said: “Those who stood with me in the fight for justice, risking their lives against the obstacles posed by the BCL, are my brothers. I will support them. The truth is the truth, no matter what others say. »

Mentionable, Sarjis was previously involved in BCL politics. He was also elected as a council member of Amar Ekushey Hall in the DUCSU and hall council elections in 2019 by the BCL panel.

On October 23, the interim government banned the BCL.

Previously, for their involvement in the attacks on DU students on July 15, two complaints were filed against hundreds of BCL men.

Leaders and members of the DU and the BCL ward unit have been charged in these cases, and some have already been arrested recently.