The National Citizens Committee made its debut on Sunday, as a platform to channel the hopes and aspirations of the sections of society that came together led by the Anti-Discrimination Students movement to topple the previous Awami League-led government last August 5.

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.

Convenor Muhammad Nasiruddin Patwari announced the committee on behalf of the organization. He has been a member of the Anti-Discrimination Students (ADS) movement's Liaison Committee.

Akhtar Hossain, 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 had a leading role from behind in the ADS movement.

He was picked up by law enforcers on July 17, and not 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.

"By extending this committee to the grassroots, we will consolidate the power of the students' uprising and work towards the reconstruction of Bangladesh," the spokesperson commented.

Other members of the National Citizens Committee are - Ariful Islam Adeeb, Saif Mostafiz, Monira Sharmin, Nahida Sarwar Chowdhury, Sarwar Tushar, Mutasim Billah, Ashraf Uddin Mahdi, Alauddin Mohammad, Anik Roy, Javed Rasin, Md. Nizam Uddin, Sabhanaz Rashid Dia, Pranjal Kosta, Moinul Islam Tuhin, Abdullah Al Amin, Huzaifa Ibn Omar, Shrabna Shafiq Dipti, Sayak Chakma, Sanjida Rahman Tuli, Abu Raihan Khan, Mahmuda Alam Mitu, Alik Mri, Sagufta Bushra Mishma, Syed Hassan Imtiaz, Tasnim Zara, Mohammad Miraz Mia, Azhar Uddin Anik, Mesbah Kamal, Ataullah, S. M. Shahriar, Manzoor-al-Matin, Pritam Das, Tajnubha Jabeen, Arpita Shyama Dev, Mazharul Islam Fakir, Saleh Uddin Sifat, Mushfique -us-Saleheen, Tahsin Riaz, Hasan Ali Khan, Abdul Ahad, Faisal Mahmud Shanto, Mashiur Rahman, Atiq Mujahid, Abdullah Al Mamun Faisal, Md. Farhad Alam Bhuiyan, Tanzil Mahmud, S.M. Souza, Md. Arifur Rahman, Kaneta Ya Lam Lam, Syeda Akhtar, Swarna Akhtar, Salman Muhammad Muktadir, Akram Hussain.