Coordinator Hasib clarifies ‘police killing, metro rail arson’ remarks
Hasib Al Islam, former coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, issued a statement on Sunday (October 27) clarifying his recent remarks about the arson attacks on the metro rail and alleged police killings.
His comments, made on a televised talk show, sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing him of justifying violence. On his Facebook, Hasib responded, "I believe some media outlets are spreading public confusion through their interpretations of my incomplete statement."
Hasib recently appeared on DBC News’ talk show ‘Prajatne Bangladesh’ alongside Nilofar Chowdhury Moni, a former Member of Parliament and BNP leader. The discussion aired on Saturday night and focused on the state of politics in Bangladesh. Presenter Jhumi Rahman asked Hasib whether any compromises had been made during recent political transitions, sparking a series of comments from Hasib that have since ignited controversy.
What Hasib said on television
At around the 16-minute mark of the 31-minute episode, Hasib responded to the host's question by saying, "Our revolution, or uprising as you may call it, hasn’t ended with the formation of the government. In our one-point declaration, we mentioned three goals: toppling fascism, dismantling the system, and establishing a new political settlement. Our fight, our struggle—our revolution—is ongoing."
Later, he added, “If the metro rail hadn’t been set on fire, or if there hadn’t been clashes with the police resulting fatalities, achieving this change wouldn’t have been as straightforward. History shows that revolutions, no matter where they happen, break rules to bring change.”
A storm of criticism
After the broadcast, Hasib's words triggered a firestorm on social media and political circles, with some interpreting his remarks as an endorsement of vandalism during the anti-discrimination movement.
The ousted Awami League capitalised on the reaction, posting edited reels of Hasib’s remarks with captions like “Confession!” and “Everything was part of the plan?” on their verified Facebook page.
Hasib’s explanation
In response to the backlash, Hasib explained on Facebook, “I believe some media outlets are causing confusion with their interpretation of my fragmented statement. My comments on ‘Prajatne Bangladesh’ were incomplete due to time constraints, and fragments of my speech are being misrepresented.”
He continued, "In my speech, I wanted to provide the context for the revolution. Unfortunately, time limitations only allowed me to highlight two points without elaborating fully. I was referring to the anger sparked among the public when Awami supporters allegedly set fire to their so-called development project, the metro rail. This anger catalysed the people’s movement against fascism."
Hasib also referenced the violence during July’s events, claiming, "Awami League-backed police forces opened fire on crowds, killing many students. When people stood against this to defend themselves, it was an expression of the pent-up resentment felt by freedom-loving citizens."
He concluded, “The Awami regime must take responsibility for the bloodshed during this uprising since they positioned the public and police in direct conflict. However, certain media outlets are misinterpreting my comments without consulting me for clarification, which is disappointing."
