Student Movement Threatens Nationwide Protests Over Habiganj Arrest

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has issued a stern ultimatum to the authorities following the arrest of Mahdi Hasan, the organisation’s Member Secretary for the Habiganj district. In a series of defiant statements released via social media on Saturday night, the group demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the “July warrior,” warning that failure to comply within a one-hour window would result in the mobilization of rigorous nationwide programmes.

The detention of Hasan, which took place at approximately 7:30 pm on 3 January, has ignited a fresh wave of tension between student activists and law enforcement. The student body has not only demanded Hasan’s freedom but has also called for the immediate withdrawal of both the Habiganj District Superintendent of Police, Yasmin Khatun, and the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shayestaganj Police Station. The movement characterized the grounds for his arrest as “vague and illogical,” asserting that the administration is unfairly targeting those who spearheaded the revolutionary changes in July.

The controversy centers on a video that went viral following a heated exchange on Friday, 2 January. In the footage, Hasan is seen inside the Shayestaganj Police Station, embroiled in a confrontation with the Officer-in-Charge. During the dispute, Hasan reportedly referenced past instances of violence to assert his influence, leading to widespread public debate and criticism regarding the conduct of student leaders in the post-uprising period.

In their official social media response, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement claimed that Superintendent Yasmin Khatun had admitted to the arrest based on concerns over threats made to the OC and the potential for Hasan to disturb the upcoming electoral climate. However, the activists have dismissed these justifications as a pretext for political suppression. They argue that the “spirit of July” is being undermined by a police force that remains hostile to the youth who facilitated the current government’s path to power.

As the one-hour deadline passed without the release of the student leader, the movement began coordinating with various regional units to prepare for large-scale disruptions. The situation remains precarious, with the potential for widespread civil unrest if a diplomatic resolution between the student leadership and the Habiganj police apparatus is not reached swiftly.