Student Leaders Transition to Politics in Post-Revolution Bangladesh

In a significant shift, student leaders from last year's uprising in Bangladesh have formed the National Citizens Party, aiming to engage young voters and influence the nascent democratic landscape.

In a noteworthy transformation following the revolution that dislodged Sheikh Hasina from power, a cadre of student leaders from last year’s protests has taken definitive political steps. Announcing the formation of the National Citizens Party at a rally in Dhaka, the party seeks to champion a centrist political ideology, targeting students—many of whom participated in the fervent protests of 2024 but have since returned to the mundane aspects of life.

Nahid Islam, a prominent 27-year-old university graduate and a key figure in the protests, will head the new political organization. Islam had previously called for the resignation of Hasina—a leader whose lengthy tenure was marred by allegations of corruption and an erosion of democratic freedoms. After the overthrow of Hasina, he briefly served in the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which aims to stabilize Bangladesh and facilitate fair elections. Although a specific election date remains unannounced, Yunus has indicated that a vote might occur by December this year.

This week, Islamic resigned from the interim government, asserting the need to align more closely with students and the populace to establish a new political movement. The student leaders hope this new platform will empower their voices in the ongoing effort to cultivate a robust democracy. The organization Students Against Discrimination, which represents much of the activist base, will continue functioning as a non-partisan entity.

The formation of the National Citizens Party has already sparked controversy. Leaders from the opposing Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), now the dominant political force after the decline of Hasina’s Awami League, have criticized the new group for leveraging advantages gained during its interim government involvement. BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed conditional support for a student party, yet decried the perceived conflict of interest stemming from the interim government association.

Meanwhile, other student leaders such as Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud have opted to remain in their governmental roles, asserting their commitment to aiding the democratic transition without political affiliations. The political landscape in Bangladesh is evolving, as former revolutionaries seek to lay the groundwork for a future shaped by youth activism and democratic principles.