Anti-Discrimination Student Movement leader Mahdi Hasan taken into police custody

Mahdi Hasan, member secretary of the Habiganj district unit of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, has been taken into police custody for allegedly threatening the officer-in-charge while inside Shayestaganj police station in Habiganj.

Shayestaganj police station OC Abul Kalam said Mahdi Hasan was taken into custody on Saturday evening, January 3.

Habiganj superintendent of police Yasmin Khatun confirmed that police had taken Mahdi Hasan into custody, adding that details of the case under which he was detained would be disclosed later.

On Friday, Mahdi went to Shayestaganj police station to secure the release of a young man detained by police. An argument broke out between him and the OC. A video of their exchange later went viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism and discussion.

Following the incident, the Anti-discrimination Student Movement issued a show-cause notice to Mahdi Hasan.

In the viral video, Mahdi is seen arguing with the OC inside the police station. At one point, identifying himself as a leader of the movement, he tells the OC, “We reformed the government through our movement. The administration is now our people. You arrested our man and brought him here, and now you are arguing with us.”

He is also heard saying, “Now you are saying, so what if you are protesters? Seventeen of our people were martyred here. We burned Baniachong police station. We burned SI Santosh. You may have come here, but I want to know with what courage you said this.”