Nahid Islam: Meet the social science student who caused Sheikh Hasina's exit and vowed to protect Hindu minority
Nahid Islam, a student from Dhaka University's Sociology Department, has emerged as a pivotal figure in Bangladesh’s recent political upheaval. His leadership of the Students Against Discrimination movement has made him a central player in the protests that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024.
Earlier, Nahid vowed to ensure the country of 170 million never returns to what he called «Fascist rule» and asked fellow students to protect its Hindu minority and their places of worship. We won't betray the blood shed by the martyrs for our cause. We will create a new democratic Bangladesh through our promise of security of life, social justice and a new political landscape."
The Rise of Nahid Islam
Islam, who also serves as a national coordinator for the Students Against Discrimination movement, has been a vocal critic of the government's quota system as reported by Prothom Alo. This system, reinstated by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh in June 2024, reserved 30% of government jobs for descendants of war veterans and freedom fighters. Islam and his movement argue that this quota is a politically manipulated and discriminatory practice that undermines merit-based opportunities.
Abductions and Torture
Islam's activism has not come without significant personal risk. On July 19, 2024, he was abducted by at least 25 men in plain clothes from a residence in Sabujbagh, reported by NDTV. During his captivity, he was blindfolded, handcuffed, and tortured during repeated interrogations about
