Mahdi Hasan, Secretary of the District Committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has recently made a provocative statement in a video message, drawing attention to what he described as politically motivated accusations. Hasan said, “If being a member of the Chhatra League is considered a crime, then Sarjis Alam is also guilty.”
Sarjis Alam, the Northern Organiser of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), is contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections from Panchagarh-1 as part of an 11-party alliance. Hasan emphasised that if affiliation with the Chhatra League is equated with criminal activity, “many leaders—including Sarjis Alam—would fall under the same category.”
The statement comes amid a wider debate over what Hasan termed “tagging politics,” a practice he claims has increasingly spread across the country. According to him, numerous individuals who were formerly associated with the Chhatra League or the ruling Awami League are now facing unfounded allegations.
The current controversy escalated after Hasan was accused of threatening the officer-in-charge (OC) of Shayestaganj police station and allegedly helping a former banned Chhatra League leader evade police custody. Following the incident, Hasan was arrested, triggering protests from his supporters who staged a sit-in outside the police station.
Hobiganj Superintendent of Police Yasmin Khatun confirmed Hasan’s detention, stating, “He was arrested, and the specific charges will be clarified in due course. Regarding his political background, he was formerly a Chhatra League leader but is no longer active in the organisation.”
The sequence of recent events is summarised in the table below:
| Date & Time | Event | Individual | Role / Comment | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Early Morning | Arrest of Chhatra League leader Nayon | Nayon | Chhatra League activist, later released | Shayestaganj Police Station |
| Friday, Afternoon | Attempted release of Nayon | Mahdi Hasan | Anti-Discrimination Student Movement leader | Shayestaganj Police Station |
| Saturday, Evening | Arrest of Mahdi Hasan | Mahdi Hasan | Secretary, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement | Detective Branch (DB) |
| Post-Arrest | Protest and sit-in | Hasan’s supporters | Demonstration demanding release | Sadar Model Police Station |
Following the viral circulation of Hasan’s video on social media, the footage has sparked widespread criticism. In the recording, Hasan can be seen engaging in heated exchanges with police officers while referencing multiple incidents of violence. Authorities have stated that investigations are ongoing and that the situation has been brought under control.
Local political analysts warn that the case underscores the growing risks of “student politics and political tagging.” Experts emphasise the need for political leaders to maintain ethical boundaries in their activities and avoid unwarranted accusations that may target former affiliates or political opponents.
The incident has ignited intense debate locally, highlighting the challenges of balancing student activism with accountability and legal oversight in Bangladesh’s politically charged environment.