Meet Nahid Islam, who led student protests to oust Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina
Nahid Islam, a sociology student at Dhaka University, known for wearing a Bangladeshi flag tied across his forehead, played a leading role in the nationwide protests that resulted ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had been in power for 15 years in Bangladesh. The protests, initially calling for reforms to the quota system for government jobs, quickly escalated into a broader anti-government movement demanding Hasina's resignation.
As a prominent human rights defender, Islam serves as one of the national coordinators for the 'Students Against Discrimination' movement. This student-led initiative demanded reforms to the quota system for government jobs in Bangladesh. The movement emerged after the Supreme Court of Bangladesh reinstated a 30 percent quota for descendants of war veterans and freedom fighters in June 2024. The protesters argue that the quota is discriminatory and politically manipulated, restricting access to government jobs.
Islam, 26, has been a fierce critic of Sheikh Hasina's party, the Awami League, labelling them as "terrorists" operating on the streets. In a previous address to protesters at Shahbagh, he declared that students had "picked up sticks today" and were prepared to "take up arms" if necessary.
His national prominence surged in mid-July when he and several other Dhaka University students were arrested by police as the protests turned violent.
Nakib Islam, Nahid’s younger brother, told Reuters that Nahid had always advocated for change in the country and recounted the brutality he suffered at the hands of the police. “He was picked up by the police, tortured until he was unconscious, and then dumped on the road. Despite all this, he continues to fight. We have confidence that he will not give up. Proud of him," Nakib stated.
He vowed to prevent Bangladesh, a nation of 170 million, from reverting to what he described as "fascist rule" and urged fellow students to protect the Hindu minority and their places of worship, as reported by Reuters.
Islam has declared that students will not accept any government led or supported by the army and has proposed that Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus be appointed as the chief adviser.
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Gujarat Titans beat Rajasthan Royals by 58 runs
Ahmedabad, Apr 9 (PTI): Gujarat Titans beat Rajasthan Royals by 58 runs in their Indian Premier League match here on Wednesday.
Chasing 218 for a win, the Royals were all out for 159 in 19.2 overs.
Shimron Hetmyer top-scored for RR with a 32-ball 52 while captain Sanju Samson chipped in with a 28-ball 41.
For GT, Prasidh Krishna took three wickets while Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore got two each.
Earlier, Sai Sudharsan struck a breezy 82 to help GT post 217 for 6.
Sudharsan's 53-ball innings was studded with eight fours and three sixes, while M Shahrukh Khan and Jos Buttler made 36 each.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans: 217 for 6 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharsan 82, Jos Buttler 36, M Shahrukh Khan 36; Maheesh Theekshana 2/54, Tushar Deshpande 2/53).
Rajasthan Royals: 159 all out in 19.2 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 52, Sanju Samson 41; Prasidh Krishna 3/24, Rashid Khan 2/37, Sai Kishore 2/20).
