Nahid Islam first gained attention as a key figure in the student protests that led to Sheikh Hasina’s removal from power in Bangladesh. On February 25, he made headlines again by resigning from Muhammad Yunus’ Cabinet. Now, on February 28, he will once more be in the spotlight as he launches his new political party.
Nahid Islam’s Political Journey
At just 27, Nahid Islam served as the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) adviser in Bangladesh’s interim government. His resignation did not surprise many, as rumors about his departure had circulated for weeks.
On Friday at 3 pm, Islam will officially announce his new party at Manik Mia Avenue. Many are eager to see if his party will shake up Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Who Is Nahid Islam?
At 26, Nahid Islam, a Sociology student at Dhaka University, became the face of the anti-quota protests against Sheikh Hasina. Born in 1998, he had a history of criticizing the government. In his first university year in 2017, he protested against a coal plant near the Sundarbans. Two years later, he ran for campus elections and co-founded the Democratic Student Force at Dhaka University.
Nahid became a household name in July 2024 after being kidnapped and tortured by intelligence officers. He recalled that on July 19, around 30 plainclothes officers found him hiding at a friend’s house. “They put a black cloth on my head and told me the world will never see you again,” he said. In a TIME report, he described being held in a ‘secret prison’ and beaten with an iron rod. A day later, he was dumped beside a bridge. On July 26, he was kidnapped again from Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in Dhanmondi. He claimed individuals from various intelligence agencies took him away.
Despite these incidents, Nahid continued to challenge Sheikh Hasina’s government as a national coordinator for the ‘Students Against Discrimination’ movement. On August 3, he publicly called for Hasina’s resignation at Dhaka University. Two days later, as thousands surrounded her residence, she fled to India, where she remains in exile.
After Hasina’s removal, Nahid joined Muhammad Yunus’ Cabinet as the Information Adviser. In October, TIME magazine featured him in its prestigious ‘TIME100 Next list’.
Why Did Nahid Islam Resign?
After serving in Yunus’ interim government for six months, Nahid resigned on February 25. “Given the current situation in the country, the rise of a new political force is necessary. I have resigned to remain on the streets to consolidate the mass uprising,” he said. “As of today, I no longer hold any government position.”
He added that the Advisory Council would decide his replacement. He acknowledged the limitations and bureaucratic challenges the interim government faced. “We hope the government will succeed in realizing the aspirations of the mass uprising,” he said.
What’s Next for Nahid Islam?
At the time of his resignation, Nahid announced his plans to form a new political party. Earlier, he posted on Facebook, “I joined the government in August to fulfill the aspirations of the martyrs, fighters, and the masses of the July uprising. But that dream cannot be realized from within the government alone. That is why today, I am signing off—with a commitment to building a new political force.”
“The struggle is not over; it is merely beginning in a new form,” he added.
His new party will be a collaboration between ‘Students Against Discrimination’ (SAD) and the ‘Jatiya Nagorik Committee’ (JANAC). JANAC emerged as a political platform after the July uprising. According to the Daily Observer, potential names for the party include ‘Student-People’s Party,’ ‘National Revolutionary Force,’ ‘Revolutionary People’s Struggle Party,’ or ‘Anti-Discrimination Citizen’s Movement.’
Reports suggest the party’s symbol could be a clenched fist, an elephant, a Royal Bengal tiger, or Hilsa fish. The party will contest the upcoming elections, likely by the end of 2025.
Samantha Sharmin, spokesperson for the Nagorik Committee, compared the new party to Turkey’s AK Party, Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf, and India’s Aam Aadmi Party. “It will be a centrist party free from rigid ideological divides,” she told The Business Standard.
Bangladesh’s Changing Political Landscape
Political analysts believe that if elections take place by late 2025 or early 2026, Nahid and his party could gain significant support. Both of Bangladesh’s major parties—the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)—are facing internal challenges.
Many Awami League leaders fled the country after Hasina’s departure, while those remaining fear legal consequences. The Yunus government has already announced that the Awami League will not be allowed to contest elections. Even if permitted, public anger against them could affect their chances.
Meanwhile, BNP, led by Khaleda Zia, struggles with internal conflicts. Many believe the party is losing its traditional voter base. Younger voters, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha, prioritize socio-cultural issues over old ideological divides. The BNP risks becoming irrelevant if it fails to adapt.
Given this political shift, only time will tell if Nahid Islam will rise as Bangladesh’s next political leader or remain a key influencer in shaping the nation’s future.
