Coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have stated they have no intention of negotiating with the government, as confirmed to The Business Standard.

Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her door is open to the students for a “dialogue” and negotiation. She invited the protesting students to meet with her at Gono Bhaban to address the violence surrounding the quota reform movement.

"I wish to meet with the students and hear their concerns. I seek to avoid any conflict," she stated. The Prime Minister made these comments during a meeting with central leaders of the Peshajibi Somonnoy Parishad (Professionals Coordination Council) at Gono Bhaban this morning.

However, Asif Mahmud, a coordinator, posted on Facebook, "While we were detained at the DB office, we were pressured to meet with the Prime Minister and suspend our movement. There was even a plan to forcibly take us to Ganobhaban.

"In response to this, we began a hunger strike to protest and demand our release," he wrote. "We are prepared to face any consequence, even death, for our unwavering stance. We urge every citizen of Bangladesh to join the student-citizen uprising," Asif added.

Earlier on August 2, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appointed three senior Awami League (AL) leaders to engage with the quota reform movement coordinators.

AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif MP, one of the appointed leaders, stated, "We are making efforts to communicate with them."

The other two leaders assigned by Sheikh Hasina are party praesidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanok MP and joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim MP.

Sources indicate that Sheikh Hasina assigned these leaders to negotiate with the quota reform movement coordinators following a meeting at Gano Bhaban on Friday night.

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