Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that the historic “one-point demand” for the fall of the fascist regime was declared on August 3, 2024, after discussions with student leaders from Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and several leftist student organizations.
Appearing as the 47th witness in the war crimes case filed against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and three others, Nahid gave his deposition on Wednesday and Thursday (September 17–18). Later, he was cross-examined by state-appointed defense lawyer Md Amir Hossain.
The Early Days of the Student Uprising
Recounting events from 2018 onwards, Nahid highlighted his candidacy in the 2019 DUCSU election and the 2023 founding of Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti, an organization aimed at fighting irregularities and working for student rights.
He stated that the mass student uprising began on July 15, 2024, when his platform called for protests. On the same day, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader declared that the ruling party’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), was “enough to crush the movement.” Nahid alleged that, emboldened by this statement, BCL leaders including President Saddam Hossain, General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan, DU President Mazharul Kabir Shayan, and General Secretary Soikat led violent attacks on student demonstrators, including brutal assaults on women. Many injured students were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where they too were attacked and denied treatment.
Subsequent incidents included the killing of student leader Abu Sayeed in Rangpur and six others nationwide, including Wasim in Chattogram, on July 16. In the following days, private university and madrasa students staged massive protests, leading to the call for a “Complete Shutdown.”
The One-Point Demand
“In coordination with fellow conveners of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the anti-fascist student fronts of Chhatra Dal, Shibir, and left-wing organizations, we declared the one-point demand for regime change at the Central Shaheed Minar on August 3,” Nahid testified.
The declaration called for dismantling the fascist state structure and establishing a new political arrangement, followed by a nationwide non-cooperation movement.
March to Dhaka and Hasina’s Flight
Nahid further told the tribunal that after the Shahbagh sit-in was announced, the “March to Dhaka” program was set for August 6. Anticipating curfew, communications shutdown, and targeted killings, organizers brought the date forward by a day.
He said Mahfuz Alam maintained liaison with other student bodies and civil society groups, while discussions were held with Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus about leading a new government.
On August 5, people from across the country began converging on Dhaka. Law enforcement attempted to block demonstrators with gunfire at Shaheed Minar and Chankharpul, but the army eventually withdrew. “We entered Shahbagh, which soon turned into a sea of people. As we marched towards Ganabhaban, news spread that Sheikh Hasina had resigned and fled by helicopter,” Nahid said.
He added that crowds of students and citizens then entered Ganabhaban, marking the collapse of the regime.
