STAFF CORRESPONDENT

People did not lay down their lives during the July-August mass uprising just for an election, and the state needs structural reforms first, said leaders of the student movement against discrimination yesterday.

The Awami League must be banned, and leaders of the party and its associate bodies must face trial because they have no right to be in politics, the student leaders said at a rally at Zero Point in the capital.

Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the student movement, said until justice is served for the genocide, they have no right to be in politics.

“The martyrs had not made sacrifices merely for elections. Many of those who were injured do not even have NID cards. They won’t be eligible to vote in the coming election. Yet, they’ve joined this mass uprising with the goal of reforming the state,” he said.

The AL on Saturday night announced that it would hold a rally marking Noor Hossain day at Zero Point. Soon afterwards, student leaders wrote on Facebook that the AL will not be allowed at the place.

“If you think that we, the people who participated in the mass uprising, will immediately return home by holding an election and handing the responsibility of reforms over to you, you are mistaken.”

The AL government thoroughly damaged the electoral system, and the reforms to the election process, judiciary, and constitutional bodies should be made before a national election, he said.

Many seasoned politicians have often been dismissive and critical of the young generation since August 5, indicating a generational divide.

SEE PAGE 6 COL 4