July uprising: Determination of resistance brought victory: Nahid

News Desk :

Anti-discrimination student movement’s key coordinator Nahid Islam has said stiff determination of resistance brought victory in days of uncertainty and fear during the historic July uprising, recounting the terrible moments he encountered, Awami League-sponsored mass murder, merciless crackdown and attacks on protesters.

“On the final days of Awami League regime fall, we were gripped by uncertainty and fear. But, we were steadfast in movement, we were committed to resist by the end that eventually made us victorious during July uprising,” he said, reports BSS.

Targeted by state forces, Dhaka University’s sociology department’s student Nahid was abducted, tortured, and subjected to physical and psychological abuse in custody during the 36th day-long countrywide movement that ended almost 16 years autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina.

He was forefront at the protest movement that earlier emerged just centering reformation of quota in the government jobs, turning to the July uprising where millions of aggrieved people participated opposing barbaric crackdown on unarmed protesters spearheaded by AL cadres and their loyal forces.

In an exclusive interview to BSS, Nahid, now convener of National Citizen Party (NCP), shared his memories of July uprising enunciating ins and outs of movement that saw at least 1400 deaths and approximately 30000 injuries.

He said, “After the court verdict on June 5 last year, we saw a surge of anger among students. In 2018, when the quota movement first took place, everyone demanded reform-not abolition. But the government unilaterally repealed all quotas”.

“After a one-sided 2024 election, the same quota system was reintroduced through a court order that sparked deep mistrust, resentment, and concern about the future among students. The economy was already in a fragile state.

When the deposed prime minister made one promise in Parliament and then retracted it through legal means, we saw that as a betrayal with the nation and the student community,” he said. Nahid, also former information adviser, said: “We began talking to students at the DU Central Library. Everyone was outrageous and wanted to respond.