I can do more to bring change from the streets than in government: Nahid

Nahid Islam believes he can contribute more to the country’s aspirations for change through political activism rather than remaining in office after stepping down from his advisory position in the interim government.

Speaking to reporters outside the State Guest House Jamuna after submitting his resignation to Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday, Nahid explained his decision to leave the cabinet as he prepares to lead a new political group.

“To build a new political force, I need to be in the streets, standing with the student masses. The democratic transformation we seek requires strengthening the forces that participated in the mass uprising. I believe I can contribute more effectively outside the government. Many of my fellow comrades share this belief. That’s why I submitted my resignation today.”

Nahid was one of the three student representatives brought into the interim government by Yunus following the mass movement that toppled the Awami League government last year. A former Dhaka University student, he played a key role in the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, serving as one of its coordinators.

When the interim government was formed on Aug 8 last year, he was first appointed as the advisor for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and ICT. He was later made the head of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and, toward the end of his tenure, took on responsibilities in a committee overseeing the Ministry of Public Administration.

Reflecting on his time in office, Nahid said, “Over the past six months, I have done my best to fulfil my responsibilities. In addition to overseeing two ministries, I had to take on several additional duties. Six months is a very short time, but I tried my best. Hopefully, the people will see the results of that work. As of today, I am no longer part of the government.”

Nahid is set to join a new political party being formed by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens' Committee. The party’s convening committee is expected to be announced on Feb 28, with Nahid widely rumoured to be its leader.

When asked about his involvement, he said, “A new political force is emerging, and I intend to be part of it. My goal is to reconnect with the people, mobilise them, and work toward fulfilling the promises of the mass uprising. That’s why I resigned.”

Asked whether fellow student movement leaders and advisors Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Mahfuj Alam would also resign, Nahid said, “I felt the need to step away, but the goals of the uprising have not yet been fully realised. The interim government was formed with commitments to justice and reform, and my colleagues believe they can still serve the people from within. If they feel the need to enter politics full-time, they may also step down.”

Nahid also highlighted some of the challenges he faced during his tenure as an advisor. “We faced many obstacles and did our best to overcome them. Bureaucratic hurdles were a major issue. The police force lacked confidence following the transition. The arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the July massacre remain unresolved. I was briefly involved in the Public Administration Committee, where we worked on removing district commissioners who were involved in election fraud in 2018.”

He expressed hope that the interim government would remain committed to fulfilling public expectations, ensuring justice, and maintaining stability in both law enforcement and the economy. “I hope the government stays focused on realising the aspirations of the people and the mass uprising while also tackling law and order issues and controlling inflation.”