Student Activist Detained Amidst Controversy and Internal Scrutiny
Habiganj, Bangladesh – The evening of January 4th saw the detention of Mahdi Hasan, the member secretary of the Habiganj district unit of Students Against Discrimination (SAD). The apprehension, carried out by the Habiganj Detective Branch (DB) police, has ignited a firestorm of protest from his organisation and brought to light an internal disciplinary action taken against Hasan earlier the same day.
According to SAD leaders and activists, Hasan was taken from a residence in the city’s Shayestanagar area and transported to Habiganj Sadar Police Station in a microbus. Yasmin Akter, Habiganj Superintendent of Police, confirmed the detention, stating that details regarding the grounds for his apprehension would be provided at a later time.
In the wake of Hasan’s detention, a significant number of SAD leaders and activists converged outside the police station. Their presence was marked by demands for his immediate release and the chanting of slogans, underscoring their solidarity with the detained activist.
Internal Disciplinary Action Precedes Detention
The detention of Mahdi Hasan followed closely on the heels of an internal disciplinary action initiated by the central committee of SAD. Earlier on the same day, the organisation issued a show-cause notice to Hasan, instructing him to cease all organisational activities. This directive stemmed from what the central committee described as “unwarranted statements” made by Hasan.
The notice, formally signed by Office Secretary Shahadat Hossain, detailed that Hasan’s remarks, made during a prior discussion with the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shayestaganj Police Station, were deemed to be in direct conflict with the organisation’s core ideology and had significantly tarnished its public image. He was formally requested to provide a clear and comprehensive explanation for his conduct within a 24-hour timeframe.
The Incident That Sparked Controversy
The internal disciplinary action and subsequent detention are reportedly linked to the apprehension of Enamul Hasan Nayan, the vice-president of the Shayestaganj Sadar Union Chhatra League. Nayan was detained by police late on Thursday night, facing allegations of involvement with the banned Chhatra League.
Following Nayan’s detention, SAD leaders and activists staged a protest, laying siege to the Shayestaganj Police Station on Friday, demanding his release. It was during this protest that a group, reportedly led by Mahdi Hasan, entered the OC’s room. Accounts suggest a heated argument ensued between Hasan and police officials.
A video capturing this confrontation later surfaced and rapidly went viral on social media platforms, particularly Facebook. The footage showed Mahdi Hasan making highly controversial statements directed at the OC, which subsequently drew widespread criticism.
In the viral video, Hasan can be heard addressing the OC with remarks that have been widely condemned. He stated, “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.”
Resolution and Hasan’s Defence
The tension surrounding Nayan’s detention was eventually diffused through the mediation of Additional Superintendent of Police (Habiganj Sadar Circle) Shahidul Islam. Following these interventions, Nayan was released from police custody around 3:30 pm on Friday.
In the aftermath of the controversy and his subsequent show-cause notice, Mahdi Hasan acknowledged receiving the disciplinary notice. He has since claimed that his remarks were a mere “slip of the tongue,” attempting to contextualise his strong language.
OC Abul Kalam of Shayestaganj Police Station provided further clarification regarding Nayan’s initial detention. He stated that Nayan was apprehended on suspicion related to an anti-discrimination movement case and alleged connections to the Chhatra League. However, he added that subsequent verification processes revealed no evidence of criminal involvement, leading to Nayan’s release. The ongoing investigation into Mahdi Hasan’s detention is expected to shed more light on the precise reasons behind his apprehension.
