Nahid Islam

Muhammad Nahid Islam{{Cite news |last=Regan |first=Helen |date=2024-08-06 |title=Bangladesh’s ‘Gen Z revolution’ toppled a veteran leader. Why did they hit the streets and what happens now? |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/06/asia/bangladesh-protests-hasina-resignation-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114160203/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/06/asia/bangladesh-protests-hasina-resignation-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=2025-01-14 |access-date=2025-03-01 |work=CNN}} was born in Dhaka on 28 April 1998.{{cite news|date=28 April 2025|title=‘শুভ জন্মদিন, আগামীর প্রধানমন্ত্রী নাহিদ ইসলাম’|lang=bn|url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/Politics/2025/04/28/1510418|access-date=28 April 2025|newspaper=Kaler Kantho}} His father is a teacher and his mother is a homemaker. He completed his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination from St. Joseph Higher Secondary School and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination from Government Science College, Dhaka. He studied at the Department of Sociology at the University of Dhaka.{{Cite news |date=6 August 2024 |title=Who is Nahid Islam, soft-spoken sociology student leader behind fall of Bangladesh government |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/who-is-nahid-islam-soft-spoken-sociology-student-leader-behind-fall-of-bangladesh-government/articleshow/112311857.cms |access-date=6 August 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} His bachelor thesis was on the causes behind the failure of student movements in Bangladesh.

As a first year university student in 2017, Nahid protested against a coal-fired power plant close to Sundarbans. In 2019, he formed a student organization called Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti ({{lit|Democratic Student Force}}) in the University of Dhaka along with his peers and was a central leader of this organization.{{cite news |title=সমন্বয়ক থেকে সরকারের উপদেষ্টা কে এই নাহিদ ইসলাম |url=https://www.jugantor.com/national/835570/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%C2%A0|access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Daily Jugantor |date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810060328/https://www.jugantor.com/national/835570/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%C2%A0 |archive-date=10 August 2024 |language=bn}}

Nahid became a coordinator for the Students Against Discrimination, which organized protests advocating for quota reforms in government jobs. The movement later expanded into a non-cooperation campaign demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and her government.{{Cite web |last1=Hossain |first1=Akbar |last2=Ethirajan |first2=Anbarasan |date=17 July 2024 |title=Deadly unrest over job quotas grips Bangladesh |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd1rzm4kjx0o |access-date=6 August 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Nahid gained national attention in mid-July 2024 when he and five other coordinators were detained by the Detective Branch (DB) as the protests escalated.{{Cite news |last1=Paul |first1=Ruma |last2=Das |first2=Krishna N. |date=6 August 2024 |title=Who is Nahid Islam, student leader of campaign to oust PM Sheikh Hasina? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/soft-spoken-sociology-student-led-campaign-oust-bangladeshs-hasina-2024-08-06/ |access-date=6 August 2024 |work=Reuters}} At midnight on 19 July 2024, he was reportedly taken from a house in Sabujbagh by approximately 25 men in plain clothing.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-06 |title=Who Is Nahid Islam, Student Leader Who Led Protests Against Sheikh Hasina |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/who-is-nahid-islam-the-student-leader-at-the-centre-of-the-bangladesh-protests-6274106 |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=NDTV}} He was blindfolded, handcuffed, and transported to a location where he was questioned about his involvement in the student movement and subjected to mistreatment. On 21 July he was found unconscious and injured under a bridge in Purbachal.{{Cite web |date=6 August 2024 |title=Who is Nahid Islam? Student Leader Behind Protests in Bangladesh! Check here! |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/who-is-nadim-islam-a-student-leader-behind-the-bangladesh-protest-1722942654-1 |access-date=9 August 2024 |website=Jagranjosh.com |language=en}} On July 26, he was apprehended at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in Dhanmondi by individuals identifying themselves as members of various intelligence agencies, including the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's DB.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/23/bangladeshi-students-allege-police-tortured-them-after-protests-crackdown|title=Bangladeshi students allege police torture after protests crackdown|website=The Guardian|date=23 July 2024}}

The DB later confirmed that they had taken Nahid and five other coordinators{{Broken anchor|date=2025-01-31|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Anti-discrimination Students Movement#Members|reason= The anchor (Members) has been deleted.}} of the Students Against Discrimination into custody for "safety reasons".{{cite news |title=Quota protest coordinators Asif, Nahid, Baker 'taken into DB custody for security reasons' |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/quota-protest-coordinators-asif-nahid-baker-allegedly-picked-db-men-hospital-db-denies |work=The Business Standard |date=26 July 2024 |language=en}} Subsequently, Nahid and other coordinators issued a statement from the DB headquarters urging the protesters to call off the demonstrations, citing that the movement's main objective of reforming the quotas had been achieved.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/movement-continue-says-coordinator-kader-discarding-statement-leaders-db-custody-905326|title=Six quota coordinators in DB custody 'call off all protest programmes'|website=The Business Standard|date=28 July 2024}} However, Nahid later clarified that he had been coerced into making the statement.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/we-were-kept-db-custody-be-isolated-the-movement-6-organisers-released-yesterday-3667896|title=We were forcibly detained, didn't voluntarily issue movement withdrawal statement|website=The Daily Star|date=2 August 2024}}

Shortly afterwards, Nahid delivered the one-point demand on behalf of students involved in the movement demanding Hasina's resignation. Following the resignation and departure of Hasina to India, Nahid stated that their objectives were not fully achieved. The group then aimed to "abolish fascist systems forever" and called on Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead an interim government, which Yunus agreed to.{{Cite web |first1=Isaac |last1=Yee |first2=Tanbirul Miraj |last2=Ripon |date=5 August 2024 |title=Bangladesh prime minister flees to India as anti-government protesters storm her residence |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/05/asia/bangladesh-prime-minister-residence-stormed-intl/index.html |access-date=6 August 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}}

File:Nahid Islam.jpg

Nahid and fellow activist Asif Mahmud joined the interim government and took the oath with most other advisers on 8 August 2024. The next day, he was appointed in-change of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology. Subsequently, on 16 August 2024, he was also assigned the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.{{cite news |title=Nahid gets ICT Ministry, Asif to head Sports Ministry |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/english/politics/news/bd/153028.details |work=banglanews24.com |date=9 August 2024 |access-date=7 October 2024}}{{Cite web |date=8 August 2024 |title=Who are the possible faces of the interim government of Bangladesh? |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/who-are-faces-interim-government-bangladesh-912491 |access-date=7 October 2024 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}

During his tenure as the Adviser of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology in Bangladesh's interim government, Nahid Islam initiated several reforms aimed at enhancing the country's digital infrastructure and accessibility. Recognizing the challenges faced by over half of the population lacking mobile network access, Nahid prioritized expanding connectivity to underserved regions.{{cite news |date=2024-08-13 |title=Muhammad Yunus may bring reforms to Bangladesh telecoms, mobile operator says |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/muhammad-yunus-may-bring-reforms-bangladesh-telecoms-mobile-operator-says-2024-08-13/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=Reuters}}

Under his supervision, the ministry focused on reducing mobile service taxes, which had been a barrier to wider internet access, especially for low-income households. These efforts aimed to promote digital inclusion and bridge the digital divide within the country. Nahid's tenure also emphasized the need for regulatory reforms to foster a more competitive and transparent telecommunications sector. Collaborating with stakeholders, he advocated for policies that would attract foreign investment and encourage innovation in the ICT industry.

As the Adviser of Information and Broadcasting, Nahid presided over the establishment of the Bangladesh Film Certification Board, based on long-standing demands from filmmakers.{{Cite web|url=https://samakal.com/entertainment/article/257088/সেন্সর-যুগের-অবসান-গঠিত-হল-চলচ্চিত্র-সার্টিফিকেশন-বোর্ড|title=সেন্সর যুগের অবসান, গঠিত হল চলচ্চিত্র সার্টিফিকেশন বোর্ড|website=Samakal|access-date=30 April 2025}}

His contributions during this period were recognized internationally, with his inclusion in Time magazine's Time 100 Next 2024 list, highlighting emerging leaders shaping the future across various fields.{{cite news |date=2024-09-20 |title=Nahid Islam recognised in 'TIME100 Next 2024' list |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/nri39owlk5 |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=Prothom Alo}}

File:Nahid Islam at Launch event of the National Citizen Party 05.jpg

Islam resigned as an adviser on February 25 to be the convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), with the affiliation of Students Against Discrimination and Jatiya Nagorik Committee.{{cite news |title=উপদেষ্টা পরিষদ থেকে নাহিদের পদত্যাগ |url=https://jamuna.tv/news/596265?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0RYNTMgosmtqUZ061Hvz7dtr2uyDOBw6w9AHXW4fwCPfbSj_J4G_AmAzQ_aem_jduCRLQMc0etEbmi7ooKOg |work=Jamuna Television |date=25 February 2025|access-date=25 February 2025}} In 28 February, he was officially designated as the convener of new party.

In his inaugural speech, Nahid declared that there would be no place for pro-India or pro-Pakistan politics in Bangladesh and acknowledged that his party would focus on the national interests of Bangladeshi people with a self-reliant economy.{{cite web|title=Bangladesh student protesters' party up against dynasties|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/national-citizen-party-bangladesh/2533698/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI1DFZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYBIhz56ohLFzEqn55e3bK8PK46XZVelioFYvYkOB4RbDMaUyeAqtLfeWw_aem_g6CLrKEpTDjmGqeFYNrZcg|website=The Print|date=5 March 2025}}{{cite web|title=Nahid: No place for pro-India or pro-Pakistan politics in Bangladesh|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/375032/nahid-no-place-for-pro-india-or-pro-pakistan|website=Dhaka Tribune|date=28 February 2025}} He also outlined his party's goal to establish a "new democratic constitution" for the "second republic".{{cite web|first=Shakib|last=Ahmed|title=No room for India or Pakistan aligned politics in Bangladesh: Nahid|url=https://www.observerbd.com/news/514361|website=The Daily Observer|date=28 February 2025}}

In March 2025, it was reported that Nahid could run for either Dhaka-9 or Dhaka-11 in the next general election.{{cite news|url=https://www.kalbela.com/politics/169796|title=দুই আসন থেকে লড়তে পারেন নাহিদ|lang=bn|date=7 March 2025|access-date=8 March 2025|newspaper=Daily Kalbela}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{Cite magazine |last=Hölzl |first=Verena |date=24 September 2024 |title=How Nahid Islam Became a Face of Bangladesh's Student Revolution |url=https://time.com/7024158/bangladesh-student-revolution-sheikh-hasina-nahid-islam/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 October 2024 |magazine=Time}}
• {{Cite news |date=6 August 2024 |title=Nahid Islam: How 26-year-old student broke Sheikh Hasina's grip on Bangladesh |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/nahid-islam-how-26-year-old-student-broke-sheikh-hasina-s-grip-on-bangladesh-101722902149929.html |access-date=6 October 2024 |work=Hindustan Times}}

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{{Quota reform movement in Bangladesh}}

{{Ministry of Information (Bangladesh)}}

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Category:1998 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Bangladeshi politicians

Category:Bangladeshi democracy activists

Category:Bangladeshi anti-fascists

Category:Yunus interim government advisors

Category:Coordinators of Anti-discrimination Students Movement

Category:Politicians from Dhaka

Category:Alumni of St. Joseph Higher Secondary School

Category:University of Dhaka alumni

Category:National Citizen Party politicians

Category:Leaders of political parties in Bangladesh