“May the sun rise in 2024, a sun that will illuminate the path of knowledge!
A dawn when the ownership of this land will be in the hands of its people, a dawn free from the shadows of fascism.”
Abu Baker Mojumdar, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, posted this on his Facebook account on the last day of 2023. Like him, a fascist-free regime had been the dream of millions of people in Bangladesh. This dream came true as a result of the Anti-discriminatory Student Movement, which started as a protest against the quota system in government jobs but evolved into a rebellion against the fascist government due to Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic methods to subdue the protest. The protest started with a 65-member coordinating team from various universities. Among them, these six coordinators went through the journey of being at the frontline of the quota movement, to being taken to the custody of the Detective Branch (DB) and playing major roles in creating a fascist-free Bangladesh.
Nahid Islam
Nahid was born in 1998. He studied sociology at the University of Dhaka. He enrolled in the university in the 2016-2017 session. He has been a member of the DU unit of the Democratic Student Force (DSF), which was formed by breakaway members of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad. His activism is marked by a consistent challenge to established power structures, advocating for a more inclusive and just society. His critiques of both the government and broader societal trends made him a significant voice in the student movement in Bangladesh.
In a Facebook post dated July 20, 2022, Nahid expressed concern over how the opportunities for general students to participate in political processes have been severely restricted.
He highlighted the loss of the anti-establishment character in Bangladesh’s social and student movements.
He pointed out that movements like Shahbagh, Hefazat, the Quota Reform Movement, and the Safe Roads Movement needed to maintain their anti-establishment essence. These movements were subdued, which allowed the government to strengthen its position in subsequent elections. In his later posts, Nahid emphasized his vision for the future of Bangladesh. He asserted that the future of Bangladesh should not belong to the “lumpen”, a term often used to describe politically disorganized and marginalized individuals.
Nahid and Asif Mahmud created history as the youngest advisor in Bangladesh’s interim government. He has been assigned to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology.
Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan
Asif was born in 1998. He studied at Adamjee Cantonment College and was the Platoon Sergeant of the college’s BNCC Club. He is a student in the 2017–18 academic session in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Dhaka.
Asif emerged as a key figure in the anti-discrimination student movement in Bangladesh, advocating for social justice, transparency, and democratic reforms.
He was deeply involved with the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad in DU. However, in 2023, he announced his resignation, citing differences in principles. He often critiqued the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), frequently calling out their actions and dominance in educational institutions. He criticized the government’s role in enabling this domination, particularly focusing on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s approach to the syndicate system.
At the age of 26, he became one of the two youngest advisors to the Bangladesh interim government. He was appointed as an advisor to the youth and sports ministry.
Sarjis Alam
Born on 1998, in Panchagarh, Bangladesh. He was a student in the Department of Zoology at Dhaka University.
Sarjis’s journey in activism began with his deep involvement in various student organizations at Dhaka University. He was elected as the Literature Secretary of the Amar Ekushey Hall Union during the 2019 DUCSU elections, representing the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) panel. He also served as the General Secretary of the Ekushey Debating Club from March 2020. In addition to these roles, Sarjis contributed as the Deputy Office Secretary at the Dhaka University Debating Society (DUDS) and held key positions in the Dhaka University Students’ Association of Panchagarh (DUSAP). He stepped down from BCL in 2022, citing two reasons: the unreasonable instructions given to juniors by BCL leaders and his commitment to critical writing about the government and BCL on social media, which led to warnings and pressure to choose between critical writing and BCL membership.
Hasnat Abdullah
Hasnat is a student in the English department at the University of Dhaka. He serves as the Vice President of the Bijoy Ekattor Hall Debating Club (BEHDC) and is an active member of the Dhaka University Debating Society (DUDS). He is also a Student Ambassador for the Global Institute for Women’s Empowerment (GIWE).
Hasnat’s activism journey began during significant events like the 2018 Quota Reform and Road Safety Movements. Since then, he has criticised the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and the political establishment. He emphasizes the power of collective action, believing that a “Symphony of voices” is more effective than relying on individual leaders. His social media presence is a testament to his engagement with pressing social issues, ranging from corruption and fascism to the plight of marginalized communities like the Rohingya and Palestinians.
Md. Abu Baker Mojumder
Md. Abu Bakar Mojumder is a student in the geography department at Dhaka University. He is involved in the Democratic Student Force (DSF). He was actively involved in protests against the government, such as the demonstration at Shahbagh on January 6, 2024, where he stood with a banner declaring “No Election Under Hasina!” He has also led and participated in various movements, including the campaign against the new curriculum and the protests against restrictions on campus iftar gatherings. In his public posts and speeches, he often expresses his vision for a knowledge-based society and a democratic state. He hopes that in the future, Bangladesh will be a place where power truly belongs to its people, free from the grip of fascism.
Nusrat Tabassum
Nusrat Tabassum was born in Khulna. She is currently pursuing her studies in political science at Dhaka University.
While preparing for the Dhaka University Admission Test, she witnessed the Quota Reform Movement in April 2018. At that moment, she was fascinated by the courage of the students. Witnessing the courage of students standing up against the ruling party’s oppressive tactics inspired her to join the fight for justice. This inspiration translated into her participation in the 2018 Road Safety Movement. She was one of the leaders in the protest against the affiliation of seven colleges with Dhaka University. In 2021, she was elected as a Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad committee secretary. Despite losing the 2023 General Secretary election by a narrow margin, she continued to serve as the Assistant General Secretary. Nusrat is working with the Democratic Student Force (গণতান্ত্রিক ছাত্রশক্তি), where she continues to advocate for equality and justice.
“As I grew up, my passion for politics increased. But I never thought of joining any particular party. I always wanted to be a people’s representative.”
In an interview with The Business Standard, Nusrat described herself as a “natural leader” with a growing passion for politics.
In June 2024, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh reinstated the 30% quota for descendants of freedom fighters. The 2024 Quota Reform Movement, also known as the July Revolution, emerged in response.
The Anti-Discrimination Students Movement was formed on July 1.
The coordinators of this organization announced a series of actions to manage this movement successfully. From July 2 to 6, students from various institutions organized protests, human chains, and highway blockades across the country. The coordinators called for a ‘Bangla blockade’ on July 7, which included demonstrations, marches, civil disobedience, and the blockade of highways and railways.
On July 14, Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina labelled the protesters as “Razakars”, further inflaming tensions. Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators, was brutally attacked on July 15 by members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). This resulted in severe injuries to his left leg and the destruction of his phone. On July 16, another coordinator, Md. Abu Baker Mojumder narrowly escaped an attack. Between July 16 and 18, the BCL, alongside the police, engaged in violent confrontations with students, leading to multiple deaths and injuries.
A nationwide internet shutdown was imposed on July 18. The next day, Nahid Islam was allegedly kidnapped by law authorities from a friend’s house, where he was staying due to a government-imposed curfew. He was released the following day in Purbachal with several injuries. Asif and Abu Baker were also kidnapped on July 19 but released five days later. Asif was slowly poisoned via Pethidine injections. He was undergoing detoxification therapy at the hospital.
On July 26, three coordinators —Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, and Abu Baker Mojumder—were abducted from Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in Dhaka, where Nahid and Asif were receiving treatment. Abu Baker was with them at the time. The next evening, the Detective Branch (DB) picked up two more coordinators, Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah. In the early hours of the following day, Nusrat Tabassum was detained from her relative’s home in Mirpur, Dhaka.
On July 28, the coordinators called off the protests. It was later found out that have been coerced through torture during their detention at the notorious DB Harun’s “Bhaater Hotel.” The six coordinators were released on August 1. Before their release, they had staged a 36-hour strike inside the DB office in protest of their treatment.
As the protests intensified, Sheikh Hasina made a last-ditch effort, proposing peaceful talks with the protesters. She was willing to “sit with the quota protesters and listen to them.” However, Nahid Islam rejected the offer, citing the torture they had endured in police custody. Asif Mahmud declared,
“There is no dialogue with bullets and terrorism.”
On 3rd August, thousands of protesters gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar area, where the coordinators announced a single demand for the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet. They called for a comprehensive non-cooperation movement from the 4th of August. This marked the end of the quota protests. The coordinators initially called for Long March to Dhaka to press for Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on 6th August. However, in an urgent decision to review the situation, it was moved to August 5. Under immense pressure from both the military and the protesters, Sheikh Hasina stepped down on August 5 and fled to India.
With the collaboration of the coordinators and the indomitable force of students and the general people, the month of July finally came to an end after 36 long days. Bangladesh was reborn with renewed hope for reform, driven by a new generation determined to shape the country’s future. The six coordinators, through their courage and resolve, became the faces of a revolution that transcended their initial cause, sparking a nationwide uprising against an unjust tyrant.
Even after the movement, these young leaders continue to work relentlessly, to reform the nation. Their growth from university activists to national figures showcases the resilience of youth and the impact of united action. While the nation reforms, the July Revolution serves as a reminder that pursuing justice is a continuous struggle, one that requires hope, courage, resilience and unwavering commitment to stand against injustice.