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The collapse of the government in Bangladesh and the manner in which erstwhile Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has to flee her country has got everyone’s attention. But what led to this turmoil? 

Weeks-long agitation by the students was at the centre of this tragedy that has unfolded in Bangladesh. And on closer look the name that comes up is Nahid Islam.

Islam is a 26-year-old sociology student at Dhaka University. He is known for his work as a human rights defender, who has emerged as a prominent figure in Bangladesh, who led to the ouster of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina, who had been in power for 15 years.

Known for his public appearance with a Bangladeshi flag tied around his forehead, Islam has been at the forefront of a student-led movement that led to the turmoil in Bangladesh. 

Islam has been serving as one of the National Coordinators for the ‘Students Against Discrimination’ Movement. It is a student-led protest calling for reforms to the quota system in government jobs in Bangladesh. 

Nahid has, reportedly, described Sheikh Hasina’s party, the Awami League, as “terrorists” deployed on the roads.

Islam gained national prominence in mid-July when he was detained by police during a protest against job quotas, which escalated into a campaign demanding Hasina’s resignation.

The protests, which resulted in nearly 300 deaths, led to Hasina’s resignation and her flight to India on Monday.

It has been learnt that other student leaders such as Asif Mahmud and Abu Bakar Majumder spearheaded by Islam met with Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, who later announced Hasina’s resignation and the formation of an interim government. 

Islam has made it clear that his group does not accept a government led or supported by the army, advocating instead for Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to serve as chief adviser.

In a recent Facebook post, Islam, reportedly, emphasised that any government not recommended by the student movement would be unacceptable. 

He vowed to prevent a return to what he described as “Fascist rule” and urged students to protect the Hindu minority and their places of worship.

Born in Dhaka in 1998, Islam is married and has a younger brother named Nakib, who describes him as resilient and dedicated. Despite enduring police brutality, Islam remains committed to his cause.