Staff Reporter :
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has accused BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Central Publication Secretary Shadik Kayem of making “false and misleading” remarks about the student-led uprising that brought down the Awami League government on 5 August 2024.
In a detailed Facebook statement issued on Thursday, Nahid challenged recent media comments by both leaders, particularly their denial of receiving proposals from student groups for the formation of a national government and their remarks on the origin of the Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti platform.
Refuting Fakhrul’s claims, Nahid said, “During our press briefing on the night of 5 August, we explicitly called for an interim national government. Later, we held a virtual meeting with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, where we formally presented this proposal, alongside a call for a new constitution.”
According to Nahid, Tarique Rahman did not endorse the idea of a national government, instead recommending a poll-time interim government made up of civil society members. “We proposed Muhammad Yunus as the Chief Adviser,” Nahid stated.
He added that a follow-up meeting with Mirza Fakhrul took place at his residence on 7 August, where discussions were held regarding the structure of the interim government.
A subsequent meeting with Tarique Rahman further reviewed proposed advisory council members.
These statements contradict Fakhrul’s interview with a vernacular daily on 26 July, in which he said no student delegation had approached the BNP with such a proposal. “The students never proposed forming a national government,” Fakhrul had claimed.
Responding to comments by Shadik Kayem suggesting that Shibir played a central role in the formation of Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti, Nahid said, “That is entirely untrue.
Chhatra Shakti was formed by members of the Gurubar Adda study circle, former Dhaka University Chhatra Adhikar Parishad activists, and students from Jahangirnagar University. While we maintained dialogue with all student groups, including Shibir, it does not mean we operated under their leadership.”
Nahid further clarified that Shadik Kayem was never a coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination Movement and only assumed that title following the 5 August events. “He was included in the press conference out of goodwill, due to Shibir’s involvement in the protests. However, later claims that Dhaka University Shibir led the uprising are historically inaccurate.”
He also alleged that a group led by journalist Zulkarnain Saer was attempting to undermine the movement’s leadership. “They tried to establish an alternative leadership structure, leveraging individuals like Shadik Kayem. This has included leaking call recordings, surveillance, smear campaigns, and misinformation. But the truth will prevail,” Nahid asserted.
In a serious allegation, Nahid claimed that on the night of 2 August 2024, Saer and associates sought to orchestrate a military takeover. “They pressured us to declare a one-point movement via Facebook that night and cut communications. We firmly resisted, warning that such a move could lead to another 1/11 scenario and open the door for the Awami League’s return.”
Nahid reiterated that the student movement was committed to establishing civilian political leadership through public mobilisation – not through backroom deals or military intervention.
Formed on 4 October 2023, Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti was led by Akhtar Hossain, former DUCSU Social Service Secretary, with Nahid Islam as Member Secretary. The group emerged as the leading student platform during the anti-government uprising. Though dissolved within a year, its leaders were instrumental in the movement that toppled the previous regime.
Nahid’s comprehensive rebuttal aims to set the record straight regarding the students’ post-uprising efforts and underscores growing internal divisions that could influence the country’s future political landscape.
