Zakir Hossain / Dhaka
Nahid Islam, convener of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) and a key leader of the July Uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, testified before Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday that movement coordinators had offered Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus the role of head of government on 4 August last year, a day before Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.
Appearing as the 47th prosecution witness in the crimes against humanity case against Hasina and her aides, Nahid said demonstrators had originally planned a “March to Dhaka” for 6 August 2024 but advanced it to 5 August after learning the government was planning to sabotage it through curfew, network shutdowns, and possible killings. Hasina fled to India that day after her 15-year rule collapsed.
Nahid said coordinator Mahfuj Alam worked with students and civil society to make the march successful, while talks were held with Yunus to prepare for a new administration.
Speaking to reporters after his deposition, Nahid urged justice for victims: “I hold Hasina, the former home minister and heads of law enforcement agencies responsible. Those who took part directly in killings should also be identified and punished.”
On media reforms, Nahid said expectations had not been met. “DGFI (defense intelligence agency of the Bangladesh armed forces) used to control the media and dictate news items, and that practice still continues. Political parties and corporate entities also exert control,” he said. He recalled forming a Media Reform Commission during his stint as interim information adviser to address these issues, but admitted reforms remain incomplete.