In a striking turn of events in Kasba Upazila, Brahmanbaria, a college branch leader of the local student wing has come under intense scrutiny following his dismissal over allegations of concealing gender-related information. The individual at the centre of the controversy, Redwan Islam, has publicly refuted claims that he is transgender, describing such reports as “complete falsehoods.”
Redwan, posting from a Facebook account under the name Rihia Rihi, stated: “I am not transgender. I am a male and a cultural activist. I have been actively involved in cultural activities for a long time. If any of my content has caused offence, I sincerely apologise. I have removed the content in question and will be more cautious in future.”
He further urged the public to verify information before believing or sharing it, warning that misinformation can cause serious damage to an individual’s reputation.
Redwan’s father, Jahangir Alam, supported his son’s statement, saying: “This is entirely a rumour. There are content creators in Dhaka who make TikTok videos and upload them online. Redwan also made some TikTok videos and shared them on Facebook. He has since apologised on his own account and promised not to repeat such actions. None of us in the family condone these videos. The reports claiming that Redwan has transitioned from male to female are incorrect. Since the news spread locally, he has not been at home.”
Earlier, on Sunday, 5 April, a press release signed by Mamun Khan, joint convener and office secretary of the Brahmanbaria District Student League, announced Redwan Islam’s dismissal from his post as cultural secretary of the Sayedabad Ideal College branch.
According to Samir Chakraborty, district member secretary, the college branch previously had a five-member committee, which was recently expanded to a full 51-member committee.
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Redwan Islam |
| Position | Cultural Secretary, Sayedabad Ideal College branch |
| Date of Dismissal | 5 April 2026 |
| Reason | Concealing information regarding gender |
| Family Statement | Rumours false; apologised for TikTok content; not transgender |
| Committee Details | Expanded from 5 to 51 members; CV initially listed male |
Chakraborty added that Redwan had identified himself as male in his curriculum vitae before the committee expansion. However, following the announcement of the new committee, reports surfaced suggesting he had transitioned to female. The alleged concealment of this information prompted his removal under organisational regulations.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions in local political and social circles. While some view the matter as an issue of personal identity and freedom, others emphasise that withholding critical information from the organisation constitutes the core problem. The case continues to fuel debate over privacy, transparency, and social media conduct among youth and political organisations alike.
Redwan Islam remains absent from his home as the situation develops, highlighting the delicate balance between individual rights and organisational accountability in modern student politics.