Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Hasnat Abdullah
Bangladeshi politician and activist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
Hasnat Abdullah (Bengali: হাসনাত আব্দুল্লাহ) is a Bangladeshi politician, activist,[1] and former convener of the Students Against Discrimination,[2][3] which led the Student–People's uprising in 2024.[4][5] He has been the Chief Organizer (Southern Region) of the National Citizen Party since 2025.[6]
Remove ads
Activism
Abdullah was one of the coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement, which led the initial quota reform movement opposing quotas in government jobs and evolved into broader anti-government movement opposing the Hasina government.[7] He, along with Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, Sarjis Alam and others gained national recognition in mid-July 2024 when police detained him and several other University of Dhaka students [8] as the protests became violent.[9][10]
In the aftermath, On August 5, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country after resigning.[11] Following the exile of Hasina, Nahid Islam stated that their goals weren't fully met and that the Anti-discrimination Students Movement aimed to "abolish fascist systems forever".[12]
He and his organisation called on Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead an interim government.[13][14]
Following the mass uprising in July 2024, the National Citizen Party (NCP) was officially launched on February 28, 2025, with Hasnat Abdullah as its Chief Organizer (Southern Region).[6]
On 10 May 2025, Hasnat Abdullah called for a protest to permanently ban the Awami League.[15]
Remove ads
Education and personal life
Abdullah is a graduate of the English department at the University of Dhaka.[16][17] He got married on 12 October 2024.[18][19]
Controversies
Summarize
Perspective
Layoffs at Somoy Television
On 24 December 2024, AFP reported allegations that Abdullah was involved in the dismissal of five Somoy TV staff.[20] City Group chair Mohammad Hasan told BBC Bangla that a 15-member team—including Abdullah—had visited and pressed for specific sackings, a claim Abdullah denies.[20][21] He later described the AFP story as “false propaganda.”[22][23]
Comments on the army
In March 2025, Abdullah’s public remarks alleging military interference in political affairs sparked controversy. Bangladesh Army Headquarters termed his comments “ridiculous and immature.”[24][25][26]
Internal party discipline issues
Between March and April 2025, the National Citizen Party (NCP) experienced internal rifts after Abdullah and fellow coordinator Sarjis Alam issued conflicting statements about a meeting with the military.[27][28] Army HQ dismissed the claims as “immature,”[29][30] while senior NCP members criticized Abdullah’s “unvetted social-media behavior.”[31] On 15 April 2025, Abdullah warned critics, “You won’t be able to handle it if I start breaching decorum.”[32][33] The NCP later established a “Discipline and Investigation Committee” to regulate social-media conduct of party officeholders.[34]
Stance on LGBTQ issues
Abdullah attracted attention after NCP included Muntasir Rahman, an openly gay activist, in its central committee. Though the party gave no official comment, Abdullah indirectly called the inclusion an “unintentional mistake.”[35] Following objections from Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, Rahman was excluded from the 217-member convening committee.[36]
Political dispute in Barisal
In April 2025, Abdullah was reportedly involved in a heated altercation during a regional Awami League meeting in Barisal, concerning the nomination of candidates for upcoming municipal elections. Local reports indicated that Abdullah and senior leaders exchanged sharp words in front of media representatives, reflecting deepening divisions within the party’s southern committee.[37][38]
Remove ads
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads