Ganajagaran leader Imran marries education minister’s daughter Nadia

Ganajagaran Mancha Spokesperson Imran H Sarker has tied the knot with education minister’s daughter Nadia Nandita Islam who is a Dhaka University teacher.

The wedding ceremony was held at the official Hare Road residence of the bride’s father Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid around 8:45pm on Saturday.

Besides the members of the two families, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Professor Ajay Roy, Professor Abul Barkat, human rights activists Khushi Kabir, and Shipra Basu, were present.

Imran, who is always seen wearing Panjabi in Ganajagaran demos, came in full wedding regalia - a golden sherwani and red turban with matching shoe. Bride Nadia wore a banarasi saree with matching ornaments.

Some fellow activists from the Ganajagaran Mancha accompanied him at the wedding ceremony.

A group of boys and girls from the bride's side stopped the groom’s procession when it arrived at the gate around 8pm. As part of the wedding tradition they demanded money to let the procession in.

A bargain ensued. Economics Professor Barkat took part in the bargain from groom’s side. When the deal was finally reached, Imran cut a ribbon and entered the house with the guests accompanying him.

Born on Oct 14, 1983, Imran became a household name after the Ganajagaran Mancha movement started at Shahbag square in February, 2013, to demand capital punishment for war criminals.

He received his MBBS degree from Rangpur Medical College, where he was associated with the ruling Awami League’s student affiliate Bangladesh Chhatra League.

Bride Nadia, who is from Sylhet, completed SSC in 1997. People close to her call by her nickname, Tinni. She is currently an assistant professor at the Department of Linguistics in Dhaka University.

Their families had been discussing the marriage for quite sometime, according to people close to them.

In February, Imran announced on Facebook that he is marrying this year. Posting a selfie, he wrote: "I am marrying in 2016. It's final. Need to ease parents' worries..."

On Dec 22, he wrote again hinting at the wedding that he was waiting for something good.