Nahid and Asif: From Students to Nation's Youngest Advisers

In an unprecedented and historic moment, two 26-year-olds, Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, took the oath as the youngest-ever advisers to Bangladesh's interim government on Thursday, each entrusted with ministerial portfolios. What makes their rise to prominence remarkable is that just a month ago, they were still students at Dhaka University, deeply involved in the quota reform protests that would soon shake the nation’s political foundations.

The story of Nahid and Asif began on July 1, when the quota reform movement ignited across the country. At the time, they were ordinary students fueled by a passionate desire for justice. Together with a small group of peers, they played a crucial role in sustaining and amplifying the movement, which rapidly gained momentum. What started as a student-led initiative soon escalated into a mass uprising, culminating in the resignation and eventual flight of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5.

Throughout the protests, Nahid and Asif faced severe repression. Their first taste of national attention came when they were detained during the government’s initial curfew, a measure imposed in a desperate attempt to stifle the growing movement. Reports of their torture and subsequent abandonment on the roadside only served to harden their resolve. Even after being detained again by the Detective Branch (DB) while receiving treatment at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital, these young leaders refused to be silenced. On July 30, they launched a hunger strike from within the DB office, protesting the unjust arrests of their fellow coordinators and the violent crackdown on students nationwide.

Despite being coerced into announcing the withdrawal of the anti-discrimination student movement in a video message while in DB custody, Nahid and Asif emerged from captivity with their spirits unbroken. Their unyielding persistence soon paid off as the movement gained widespread public support. As police brutality intensified, they boldly issued a one-point demand for Hasina’s resignation, a move that ultimately led to the downfall of the Awami League’s 17-year rule.

Nahid, a master’s student of sociology at Dhaka University, and Asif, a linguistics student, were key coordinators of the quota reform movement. Both are also leaders of Ganotantrik Chhatra Shakti, a student organization that evolved from the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, led by Nurul Haque Nur. Nahid serves as the member secretary of the Dhaka University unit, while Asif holds the position of convener.

After taking their oaths as advisors, Nahid and Asif articulated their unwavering commitment to the causes that propelled them to prominence. They vowed to champion the voting rights of all citizens and work tirelessly to restore democracy in a country where it has long been under threat. "If Bangladesh is in the hands of its youth, the country will not derail from its goal," Nahid declared, highlighting the critical role of the younger generation in shaping the nation’s future.

Nahid also emphasized that the interim government includes both young and experienced individuals, representing a broad spectrum of opinions. He assured that the participants of the anti-discriminatory student movement would continue their activism alongside their governmental duties, united in their efforts to lead Bangladesh toward a brighter future.

Asif echoed these sentiments, expressing their readiness to tackle the challenges ahead as the country’s youngest advisors. "We are prepared to take on this challenge," he stated, acknowledging the monumental task of reforming state institutions weakened by years of autocratic rule. He proudly noted that while major political parties had failed to oust the autocratic government for 17 years, they managed to achieve this in just four days after announcing their one-point demand.

"We will prove that the younger generation too can serve the country with passion and patriotism," Asif affirmed, signaling the dawn of a new era of leadership in Bangladesh. Their remarkable rise from university activists to key government advisors is a powerful testament to the impact of youth-led movements and the potential of a new generation to drive meaningful change.