Nasir Uddin, the General Secretary of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, was born on January 1, 1988, in Subarnachar, Noakhali district, to Sahabuddin and Afroza Begum. Nasir completed his secondary education at Charclerk High School in 2004 and his higher secondary education at Noakhali Government College in 2006. He then enrolled in the Islamic Studies Department at Dhaka University in the 2007-2008 session. He is pursuing a master's degree in Japanese language studies at the same university.

He became involved in Chhatra Dal politics soon after beginning his undergraduate studies there. Subsequently, he was appointed the general secretary of the organisation's central committee on March 1 of this year. He is still determining the exact number of pending political cases filed against him, but 11 cases are known. He was arrested twice and remains unsure of the number of cases he has been involved in since assuming his new position. Recently, he discussed ongoing politics in an interview with Bangla Outlook, conducted by its Dhaka representative.

Bangla Outlook: How did you become involved in Chhatra Dal politics?

Nasir Uddin: I observed various Chhatra Dal activities during my school years but didn't have an opportunity to engage in politics. At the same time, I didn't have the chance to attend college. Only after enrolling in university did I become involved in Chhatra Dal politics. When I first entered politics, it was during the One-Eleven. This was when BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman were arrested. Tarique Rahman was falsely accused and left paralyzed during interrogation. As a university student, I felt like speaking out and protesting against these injustices. While I could have chosen to join another student organisation at the time and potentially gained various advantages, the principles of BNP and Chhatra Dal inspired me to join Chhatra Dal.

Bangla Outlook: Could you have chosen to step back, like many others did?

Nasir Uddin: No. After One-Eleven, many went in various directions, consumed by power. I couldn't do that. Throughout this journey of 15-16 years, I never once questioned whether I had made a mistake. I see parallels between the situation in our country before 1971—where people fought to defend democracy and human rights—and the present. Even when I first joined Chhatra Dal politics, there were glaring deficiencies in democracy, human rights, and fundamental rights in the country. So, I never doubted that I was on the right path. We are still fighting alongside the people for freedom.

Bangla Outlook: Did your family ever try to deter you from politics?

Nasir Uddin: My family isn't any different from other families in Bangladesh. There's a societal context and a prevailing negative perception of politics. Like many others, I faced challenges initially. Parents, siblings—everyone harboured some reservations about politics. However, eventually, my family began to value my perspective more. They respected and supported my political principles and continue to do so.

Bangla Outlook: Are you concerned about facing lawsuits and attacks due to your involvement in opposition politics?

Nasir Uddin: Since joining Chhatra Dal, I've encountered lawsuits, attacks, imprisonment, and oppression. I've never experienced a BNP in power. I've risen through the ranks of this organisation starting from being a Chhatra Dal activist. We're all moving in the same direction. There isn't a single leader or member of our organisation who hasn't faced legal challenges. Therefore, we have to confront imprisonment, oppression, forced disappearances, and even murders to ensure the success of our struggle. We might have to accept physical paralysis. We've come to terms with these risks. We're no longer afraid. Our objective is establishing a government by and for the people, strengthening Bangladesh's democratic system. We will persist in our fight to restore the people's rights and safeguard the nation's independence and sovereignty.

Bangla Outlook: How successful has Chhatra Dal been in meeting public expectations in the past?

Nasir Uddin: We haven't reasonably met the expectations. During our involvement in student politics, such as the Dhaka University-centred movement during Moinuddin and Fakhruddin's regime, our united student movements compelled Moinuddin-Fakhruddin to step down from power. However, from the time Awami League assumed power in 2008 until the staged elections of 2024, we failed to execute the united movements that students required during this period. As a member of Chhatra Dal, I also bear responsibility for this.

Bangla Outlook: What steps can be taken to overcome the crisis?

Nasir Uddin: Historically, the student community in Bangladesh has shown its strength through united movements. They played pivotal roles in the independence and freedom movements of the 60s and 70s, and in the 90s, they successfully ousted the dictator Ershad from power. Now is the time for all student organisations in Bangladesh to unite and join the BNP-led movement. I urge everyone to come together. Additionally, I appeal to the ordinary students—Chhatra Dal has been actively involved in movements for a considerable time, aiming to protect the nation and its people, preserve freedom and sovereignty, and secure the rights of ordinary students. I call upon you to join us, unite under our banner, and liberate this country. Let's free the democracy of this nation and collectively safeguard human rights.

Bangla Outlook: A significant portion of the current generation stays away from politics. How effective do you think your appeal will be?

Nasir Uddin: It's not Chhatra Dal; the ruling Awami League bears responsibility for the reason the current generation avoid politics. Their affiliated organization, Bangladesh Chhatra League, has instilled a reign of terror across campuses in Bangladesh for the past 18 years, marked by incidents of sexual harassment, rape, and other violence. Recent events, such as the situation at Jahangirnagar University where incidents of rape occurred, highlight this reality. This same campus witnessed a century of rapes committed by one Chattra League leader before. There have been instances of rape in colleges in Sylhet and tragic incidents like the beating to death of Abrar in BUET campus, and the murder of Abubakar in Dhaka University. Thousands of such cases abound. This pervasive environment has tainted student politics in Bangladesh, and the Bangladesh Chhatra League is responsible for this corrupt politics.

Moreover, many students aged 18 to 35 couldn't vote in the last three national elections. Consequently, these young students, who lack voting rights, feel disconnected from the nation's affairs. They fail to comprehend that their opinions influence the governance and fate of the country. This disillusionment pushes them to seek opportunities abroad, diminishing their role in the nation's social and political development. The significance of students in the country's overall progress has been undermined deliberately. It's part of a larger conspiracy—the Awami League aims to alienate people from politics, revive the Bakshal era, and perpetuate its grip on power indefinitely. Their agenda threatens to dismantle the nation's fabric.

Bangla Outlook: What message do you have for these young individuals?

Nasir Uddin: Every individual is responsible for safeguarding freedom and sovereignty, and the youth carry additional duties. However, the youth possess a unique platform for voicing dissent. Unfortunately, we've veered away from utilising that platform. Consider tragic incidents like Felani's death, hanging on barbed wire on the border fences, or the killing of a BGB member by Indian Border Guards. Yet, we remained silent, unable to protest. This culture of apathy towards protest is a consequence of deterring the youth from engaging in politics.

Hence, our plea to these young individuals is to join our struggle for freedom, democracy, and human rights, which has persisted for the last 16 years. We'll protest every instance of border killings, both domestically and internationally. We demand justice—we'll even summon their ambassador if necessary. It's time for the youth to step forward with courage to join the movement we're engaged in. Let's stand shoulder to shoulder in this endeavour dedicated to the people, their voting rights, freedom, and sovereignty. Most importantly, let's unite to return the ownership of Bangladesh to its rightful owners—the people of Bangladesh.

Bangla Outlook: Is there any break of the chain of command within Chhatra Dal? What's the new strategy?

Nasir Uddin: Chhatra Dal is steadfastly engaged in democratic movements, even amidst the most challenging times in its 50-year history of student politics. Despite the adversity, Chhatra Dal continues to make significant strides, which is promising. With 118 organisational units, we focus on strengthening organisational activities, particularly in areas where we face weaknesses due to various legal challenges, attacks, forced disappearances, murders, and government hostility. We're prioritising organisational strength at district and other levels, alongside initiating various campus-based initiatives.

Bangla Outlook: How do you evaluate the current state of the education system?

Nasir Uddin: Between 2009 and 2014, Bangladesh experienced widespread exam question paper leaks across all levels of public examinations—from 5th and 8th grades to secondary and higher secondary exams. It's safe to say that hardly any candidate remained untouched by these leaks during that period, yet no substantial actions were taken to address this known issue. There's an extensive domestic and international conspiracy undermining our education system. This government has systematically dismantled education, particularly at the primary and secondary levels.

Regarding higher education, the corruption in teacher recruitment across universities is unprecedented. Universities are marred by political influence, resulting in the appointment of an excessive number of teachers in specific departments. Doubts persist regarding the merit and competency of these appointees, with rules often disregarded. Recent discussions about the education policy have been troubling; the education minister's remarks blaming the decline in school enrollment on the rise of madrassas signify a deliberate attempt to undermine the entire education system. This aligns with the ruling party's long-term plan. If this trend continues, we risk being left behind in the age of globalisation, with our students unable to attain reputable degrees abroad and our university certificates unrecognised by foreign institutions.

Bangla Outlook: What kind of movement does Chhatra Dal aim to establish?

Nasir Uddin: The movement we're engaged in faces numerous obstacles. The government's fascist behaviour is a significant hindrance, preventing us from mobilising thousands of activists. Law enforcement agencies under the government's control resort to shooting our activists on sight. Perhaps our strategies in the past were flawed, and we're working to rectify them. Under the guidance of our organisational leader, Tarique Rahman, we've formed a new committee. He has urged us to put aside past mistakes, unite, and stand shoulder to shoulder in our struggle.

Bangla Outlook: When can we expect Chhatra Dal to resume movements?

Nasir Uddin: We're gearing up to reenter the field very soon. We emphasise educational institutions in Dhaka, where our units are situated. Efforts to ramp up organisational activities there have already commenced and will quickly become evident.

Bangla Outlook: How long will the committee be fully constituted, given that partial committees have been formed?

Nasir Uddin: There are directives to expedite the committee's formation within a short timeframe. Following paying respects at the shrine of Ziaur Rahman, the committee has shifted its focus to operational tasks. Additionally, there are 118 district committees, with priority being given to educational institutions. 

Bangla Outlook: How will Chhatra Dal overcome past failures and pave the way for a new era?

Nasir Uddin: Chhatra Dal has never truly faltered. We didn't fail in 1990, nor did we falter post-2006. Our movement persists. Overthrowing a dictatorship isn't a swift process; it takes time, sometimes years. Similarly, our ongoing movement will endure, and victory is inevitable. The government's ouster is inevitable.

Bangla Outlook: Thank you.

Nasir Uddin: Thank you to Bangla Outlook as well. We hope Bangla Outlook will remain a beacon of trust, advocating for people's rights in the struggle for liberation. That's our aspiration.