Who is Nahid Islam, student leader who led movement against Hasina Wajid?

Nahid Islam has emerged as a key figure in Bangladesh’s recent political upheaval. Leading the Students Against Discrimination movement, he became central to the protests that culminated in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on August 5, 2024.

Islam, 26, coordinated a student movement initially against quotas in government jobs, which evolved into a campaign to oust Hasina. The unrest led to nearly 300 deaths, many among college and university students, before Hasina resigned and fled to India on Monday. Bangladeshi army chief General Waker-Ul-Zaman, who announced Hasina’s resignation and the formation of an interim government, is set to meet with Islam and other student leaders on Tuesday.

Who is Nahid Islam?
Nahid Islam, a sociology student from Dhaka, led the protests that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid, ending her 15-year rule. Born in Dhaka in 1998, Islam is married and has a younger brother named Nakib, who is also a student. Gaining national prominence in July after being arrested during a deadly protest, Islam was the chief organizer of the Students Against Discrimination movement.