How are AL leaders spending time in prison?

From positions of political power to the isolation of prison cells—it’s a dramatic shift of fate. Once influential figures shaping key decisions in national politics, several top Awami League leaders now find themselves confined within the walls of Kashimpur Central Jail. Among 26 VIP inmates held there, a number are prominent Awami League politicians whose past affluence and current solitude form a striking contrast.

These VIP prisoners receive special division privileges in Kashimpur Jail. Each cell is furnished with a bed, a table, and a chair. Inmates are allowed access to a national daily newspaper and can watch BTV. Meals regularly include fish or meat, and food can also be purchased from the prison canteen. There is a library with around 2,000 books, and prisoners may bring in additional books with prior approval from prison authorities.

Among the detainees are Salman F Rahman, Shahjahan Khan, and Zunaid Ahmed Palak—once power players, now adapting to an entirely different reality.

Salman F Rahman: A Life of Prayer and Reflection

Vice Chairman of Beximco Group and former Adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Private Industry and Investment, Salman F Rahman now leads a life starkly different from his past. In 2017, he was ranked 1,685th on the Hurun Global Rich List. Today, he is known simply as a VIP prisoner.

Sources inside the jail report that Rahman spends most of his time in prayer, reciting the Quran, and counting Tasbih. After offering Fajr prayers, he takes a short walk and then reads the Quran. He prays five times a day and spends hours reading Hadith.

Gone are the days of business meetings, mobile phones, and executive duties. His current life is centered on solitude, inner reflection, and spiritual practices. While he does occasionally socialize with other Awami League inmates, he returns to his cell by evening. He mostly eats food from the prison canteen, though his main source of peace now lies not in gourmet meals, but in worship.

Shahjahan Khan: Books, Newspapers, and Walks

Former MP from Madaripur-2 and veteran freedom fighter leader Shahjahan Khan leads a relatively calm and disciplined prison life. Despite being behind bars, he shows notable mental resilience. He starts his day with a walk, spends the afternoon reading, and goes for another stroll in the evening.

He passes his time reading newspapers and political literature, often reminiscing about historical political events, particularly the Liberation War and post-independence politics, which he discusses with fellow inmates.

As a seasoned politician, he adapted quickly to prison life. Along with reading, he occasionally writes. Sources say he is preparing to write a memoir. He regularly purchases his meals from the canteen and frequently requests new books, often borrowing titles from the prison library. Prison staff and fellow inmates describe him as a composed and courteous gentleman.

Zunaid Ahmed Palak: Solitude and Emotional Strain

A prominent face of the Awami League's younger generation, Zunaid Ahmed Palak—formerly the State Minister for ICT—is now imprisoned and facing multiple legal cases.

Unlike the other two leaders, Palak is spending his time in a state of emotional withdrawal. Prison sources say he largely keeps to himself and rarely engages in conversation with others. He is often seen sitting quietly, sometimes with tears in his eyes. On occasion, he breaks into sobs.

Through his lawyer, Palak has brought five books into the prison: the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Code of Civil Procedure, the Penal Code, the Digital Security Act, and a compilation of his speeches in Parliament. He spends time reading these to better understand his legal battles.

As a young leader, this abrupt fall from grace has taken a toll on his mental health. In court appearances, he has alternated between proclaiming his innocence and appealing for prayers.

This glimpse into the prison lives of three Awami League leaders reveals not just how they are spending their days in confinement—but also the emotional and psychological impact of their unexpected reversal of fortune.