Students’ Rights Group Demands Unconditional Release, Presidential Pardon
Dhaka, January 4 – A prominent student advocacy group, Students Against Discrimination (SAD), has issued a strong ultimatum, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of its Habiganj district unit member secretary, Mahdi Hasan, by tonight. Concurrently, the organization has called for the removal of the officer-in-charge (OC) of Habiganj Sadar Police Station.
The demands were formally articulated through a statement posted on the group’s Facebook page in the early hours of January 4. Beyond the immediate release and dismissal, SAD has put forth a significant request: the issuance of a presidential ordinance within the next 24 hours. This ordinance, if enacted, would grant immunity to students, workers, and members of the general public who participated in the mass uprising that transpired in July. The proposed pardon would cover all activities undertaken between July 1 and August 8 of the preceding year.
Detention and Public Reaction
Mahdi Hasan was reportedly detained on Saturday evening by the Habiganj Detective Branch (DB) police. According to SAD leaders and activists, Hasan was apprehended at a residence located in the Shayestanagar area of the city and subsequently transported to Habiganj Sadar Police Station in a microbus.
Confirming the detention, Habiganj Superintendent of Police Yasmin Akter stated that Mahdi Hasan had indeed been taken into custody. She indicated that further details regarding the specific grounds for his detention would be disseminated at a later time.
The detention of Mahdi Hasan immediately galvanized SAD leaders and activists. A considerable number of them converged outside the Habiganj Sadar Police Station, staging a protest and chanting slogans to demand his prompt release.
Viral Video Sparks Controversy
Adding a layer of complexity to the situation, a video clip of the incident subsequently gained widespread traction on social media platforms, particularly Facebook. The footage appeared to capture Mahdi Hasan making remarks that have been described as controversial, directed towards the Officer-in-Charge of the police station. These statements have ignited considerable criticism and debate.
In the widely circulated video, Mahdi Hasan is seen addressing the OC, with his words reportedly including: “We burned down Baniachong police station, and we set SI Santosh on fire. From that position, how dare you say, ‘So what if he is an SAD activist?’ Did so many of our brothers come here for nothing? Through the July movement, we formed the government. In this context, you are part of our administration. Yet you have arrested our people.”
Previous Incident and “Slip of the Tongue”
The aftermath of the detention saw mediation efforts led by Additional Superintendent of Police (Habiganj Sadar Circle), Shahidul Islam. Following these interventions, Mahdi Hasan, identified as Nayan in some reports, was released around 3:30 PM on Friday.
Following his release, Mahdi Hasan acknowledged receiving a show-cause notice. He later attempted to contextualize his controversial remarks, attributing them to a “slip of the tongue.”
The Officer-in-Charge, Abul Kalam, provided his perspective on the earlier detention, stating that Nayan had been held on suspicion in a case related to the anti-discrimination movement. Kalam also alluded to alleged connections with the Chhatra League. However, he noted that subsequent verification processes found no evidence of criminal involvement, which led to Nayan’s release.
The ongoing situation highlights the tense relationship between student activism, law enforcement, and the broader political landscape in the region, with SAD’s demands signaling a potential escalation in their efforts to secure the rights and safety of their members. The call for a presidential ordinance underscores a desire for systemic protection against perceived injustices faced by those involved in public demonstrations and movements.
