Umama Fatema, the spokesperson of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has announced that she is stepping away from all activities related to the platform. On Saturday, 28 June, she posted her decision on her verified Facebook page, sharing her frustrations and disappointments with the organization.
Why She Joined the Platform
Umama said she initially joined the platform to continue the unfinished work of the July Uprising, after the formation of a new political party called NCP.
“প্ল্যাটফর্মের মুখপাত্র হিসেবে যাওয়ার পরেই টের পাই সংস্কার, জুলাই, শহীদ, আহত এসব মুখের বুলিমাত্র। শুধু আমি না, অনেক ছাত্ররাই পরিবর্তনের স্বপ্ন নিয়ে প্ল্যাটফর্মের সাথে যুক্ত হয়েছিল। সবার সাথে শুধু ছলনা হয়েছে।”
“After becoming the spokesperson, I realized that words like reform, July, martyrs, and wounded were just slogans. Not only me, many students joined with dreams of change. But all were deceived.”
She claimed the banner was under constant pressure from certain people who felt threatened by its independent voice, and that she faced both online and offline pressure not to work with it.
Internal Politics and Disrespect
Umama revealed that those she worked closely with were the ones who later ran smear campaigns against her using junior members of the platform.
“এই সো কল্ড সহযোদ্ধারা মানুষকে টিস্যু পেপারের মতো ব্যবহার করে, প্রয়োজন শেষ হলে ছুঁড়ে ফেলতে এক মুহূর্তও লাগে না।”
“These so-called comrades use people like tissue paper—throwing them away the moment they are no longer needed.”
She described the internal politics as toxic, saying the platform had been taken over by opportunists, and even well-intentioned students couldn’t make a difference.
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Denied Access and Targeted Attacks
Although she was the official spokesperson, Umama says she was never given access to the platform’s Facebook page. Instead, the page was used to post against her.
“পেইজের এক্সেস দেয়া তো দূরের কথা, এই পেইজ থেকে মার্চ মাসে আমার বিরুদ্ধে পর্যন্ত পোস্ট হয়েছে।”
“Forget about giving me access, they even used the page to post against me in March.”
Whenever she tried to take action, she faced silence or was targeted even more.
Deep Mental Stress and Betrayal
Umama said the toxic environment caused her to break down mentally in March and April.
“আমি কনফ্রন্ট করলে আমাকেও বলা হত যাতে সুপ্রীম অথোরিটির সাথে আমি পদ নিয়ে কথা বলে আসি।”
“When I confronted them, they told me to go ask the supreme authority for a position.”
She mentioned how some members were acting like they supported her during the day, but bargained for positions behind her back at night.
Her Decision to Leave
She said she had emotionally distanced herself from the platform back in April-May, and eventually stopped engaging with it officially.
“আমি মুখপাত্র পরিচয়টা বাদ দিয়ে শিক্ষার্থী পরিচয়টাকে আপন করার শুরু করি।”
“I gave up the identity of spokesperson and chose to simply be a student again.”
Despite everything, she cast a vote during the council election hoping some good might still come out of it. But she was disappointed when someone who wasn’t even part of the election became a member.
Total Withdrawal of Support
After witnessing continued mismanagement and favouritism, Umama decided to withdraw her support and her vote.
“অভ্যুত্থানের কথা চিন্তা করে আমি এই প্ল্যাটফর্ম থেকে সকল ধরনের সমর্থন ও কাউন্সিলে প্রদত্ত ভোট প্রত্যাহার করলাম।”
“Thinking about the July Uprising, I withdraw all kinds of support and my vote from this platform.”
She said she could have taken political advantage but chose not to, because it didn’t feel right after the pain and sacrifices of so many people during the uprising.
Final Words and Advice to Others
Umama ended her post by expressing deep sorrow, anger, and disappointment. She said she would never forgive those who used the uprising for personal gain.
“আমি রুহের ভেতর থেকে বদদোয়া দিচ্ছি এই মোনাফেকদের।”
“From the depth of my soul, I curse these hypocrites.”
She advised students to focus on their studies and build their future with hope, adding that she is also trying to gather herself and start fresh.
“আমি পরামর্শ দিব আপনারা সবাই যাতে পড়ার টেবিলে মনোযোগ দেন, কাজে মনোযোগ দেন।”
“My advice is for everyone to focus on their studies and their work.”
“ফি আমানিল্লাহ।”
Source: TBS
