Poliar Wahid

Dhaka, July 6, 2025 (BSS) -- Ahmed Ishak, born on April 22, 2000, in Dayapur village of Cumilla sadar south upazila, achieved a bachelor's degree in Arabic literature. He began his political activism in 2018 and later became the founding chief coordinator and central president of the Rashtra Sangskar Chhatra Andolan.

Ishak has played key roles in several anti-fascist alliances, including the Anti-Fascist Student Unity -- a coalition of 16 student organizations --and the coordination council of the All-Party Student Unity, comprising right-leaning student groups. He emerged as a frontline leader during the July mass uprising. Currently, he serves as a central organizer for Jatiya Juba Shakti wing of the National Citizens' Party.

Alongside his political work, Ishak is also an active writer. His first collection of rhymes, Noshto kabya (Corrupted Verses), published in 2021, gained popularity among youth. In 2023, his poetry book Dwitiyo Ishwar (The Second God) sparked intense controversy, leading to its removal from several bookstores. His latest work, Fascibader Chhora (Rhymes of Fascism), published in 2025, is regarded as one of the boldest literary critiques of the current political regime.

Ishak recently shared his firsthand experiences of the July uprising in an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

BSS: Can you tell us about a memory from the July uprising that you haven't shared with anyone before?

Ahmed Ishak: In July, a Behula came into my life. She used to call me Lokkhi, and would say, "Even if I have to cross seven seas and thirteen rivers, I will stay with you." But within just six months, I discovered --she wasn't Behula at all. She was the Kalinag, sent by Manasa.

BSS: Was she on the streets with you during the movement, or did she support you from a far?

Ahmed Ishak: She was right there with me on the streets. In fact, we had vowed to become martyrs side by side. It was through her that I learned how women can inspire men to fight. For that, I remain deeply grateful to her.

BSS: When did you directly join the movement?

Ahmed Ishak: It was on July 8. On July 7 evening, Nahid Islam (now the convener of National Citizens' Party) called and asked if I was at the party office. Nahid Islam, Akhter Hossen, and a few other leaders of the movement had come to meet Kaiyum Bhai (Advocate Hasnat Kaiyum, Chief Coordinator of the (Rashtrya Sangskar Andolon) to discuss the legal and constitutional aspects of the quota issue, as well as the overall direction of the movement.

At the time, I was at home - sick -- after a long stretch of organizational travel. Nahid Islam said, "The quota reform movement is going on. If you all stay home now, how will this work? Come back to Dhaka, bhai." That night, Hasnat Kaiyum bhai also called and asked me to return to Dhaka.

I came back the next day. Then, after mobilizing the organization's leaders and activists, I joined the movement.

BSS: Chhatra League attacked injured students receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. You were present there, directly helping the wounded fighters. Can you tell us about that day?

Ahmed Ishak: On July 14, when Sheikh Hasina called the students protesting against discrimination "grandchildren of razakars," it sent shockwaves through the universities -- especially Dhaka University. That very night, students began a sit-in at the base of the Raju Sculpture on the campus.

On July 15, by noon, the entire DU campus was echoing with slogans from students pouring in from various institutions. I even saw madrasa students joining in. Around 3pm, we received news that protesters were being detained inside various dormitories. About 500 of us took out a march toward those halls. We used loudspeakers to call out to students inside -- inviting those who wanted to join the movement to come down.

But even before we got there, armed members of the Chhatra League, Jubo League, and hired goons -- who had been lying in wait -- launched attacks from the rooftops of Bijoy 71 Hall, Kabi Jasimuddin Hall, Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall, and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall. Bricks and glass bottles were hurled down from above. Many of our comrades were injured in that assault.

At one point, I called coordinator Nahid Islam (who was at Raju Sculpture) and informed him of the situation. I urged him to send more students to help. The attackers advanced from three directions, throwing brick chips in unison. Ariful Islam Adib (now Joint Convener of NCP) came and said, "We won't be able to hold the ground much longer. We need to withdraw." The entire area had already turned into a war zone. I was bleeding.

Right next to me, a student was struck in the head and collapsed to the ground. While he was lying there, they beat him mercilessly with sticks. I pulled back, then helped take him to Dhaka Medical with the aid of a rickshaw puller.

By around 6pm, nearly 500 injured students were being treated at Dhaka Medical. Armed Chhatra League thugs entered the emergency area through two gates, wielding sticks, machetes, and even pistols. 
Words can't fully capture what we went through that day. Witnessing that horror, Mashkur Ratul Bhai (Chief Coordinator of the (Rashtra Sangskar Jubo Andolon), Munabbir Nishat Bhai (Co-Coordinator), and other activists merged with a Chhatra League procession and using that cover, skillfully rescued me from the scene.

BSS: You were injured during the attack at Dhaka University on July 15. After Abu Sayeed was martyred on the July 16, where did you continue the movement? And during the internet shutdown on July 17, 18 and 19, how did you keep the movement going?

Ahmed Ishak: Most of the time, I was physically present in the Paltan, Bijoynagar, Kakrail, Shahbagh and Dhaka University areas. When Abu Sayeed was martyred, the movement began to draw international attention. From that point on, I started receiving contact from the UK and US embassies, Al Jazeera and journalists and human rights workers from the U.S. and other countries.

I stayed in touch with them until August 5. I tried to convey the direction of the movement, the position of the students and the actual situation with the government as clearly and accurately as possible.

BSS: Do you have any memory of someone being martyred right in front of you during the movement? If so, please share it.

Ahmed Ishak: I have many such memories. I've witnessed several people being martyred right before my eyes during the movement. And I've seen many others taken to hospitals in critical condition. For many of them, we never heard anything again. Without a doubt, many of them have tasted the eternal nectar of martyrdom.

But one moment I will never forget is from July 19. A comrade standing right next to me was shot in the head. He collapsed immediately and was martyred on the spot. That bullet could easily have hit me.
We had fierce clashes with the police around Bijoynagar Water Tank, Culvert Road, Paltan Tower, and Zaman Tower. I still have that bullet with me -- it's in my possession to this day.

BSS: Before the one-point demand was declared, did you ever have a sense that Hasina might flee?

Ahmed Ishak: Honestly, I never imagined Hasina would flee like that. But after the July 16, there was no ambiguity left -- what had begun was a full-fledged mass uprising. There was no way back. It was either revolution or death.

Hasina's stubborn arrogance and the continued mass killings were dragging Bangladesh toward an armed revolution. Along with Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, Mahfuz Alam, Rifat Rashid, and Adib Bhai -- we were mentally preparing ourselves for that reality.

BSS: Where were you on August 5? When and how did you first learn that Hasina had fled? What did you feel?
Ahmed Ishak: The August 4 night was sheer terror. Despite every effort, I couldn't sleep for even a moment. Since the July 16, each day had been filled with protests and each night spent in hiding, at a different place. My body was worn down -- no food, no sleep, only restlessness.

At dawn, I bathed, offered my prayers, and set out for the Shaheed Minar with two comrades -- writer and activist Naeem Hasan and my friend Maulana Shafiqul Rahman. A few of us tried to clean up the Shaheed Minar. Slowly, more protesters began gathering -- around 200 of us. Suddenly, Shafique came running and said, "Bhai, the police are advancing while firing."

Since our numbers were small, we asked everyone to move up onto the steps of the Shaheed Minar. We agreed that even if they arrested us, we would remain peaceful. But the police kept firing even after getting within 100 yards. They brutally beat women too, and arrested several people. I was also hit by pellets. We jumped over the rear wall of the Shaheed Minar and sought shelter at Dhaka Medical.

But even inside the hospital, Chhatra League goons were hunting down protesters, dragging them out. Seeing this, I recited the Kalima and mentally prepared myself for martyrdom. Kamrul Hasan, General Secretary of the Democratic Student Union, was with me.

That day, I changed my phone wallpaper to display my photo, name, blood group, organization, and position -- along with the contact info of three Rashtrya Sangskar Andolon leaders: Didarul Bhuiyan (Finance Coordinator), Faridul Haque (Political Coordinator), and Imran Emon (Organizational Coordinator). I didn't want to be buried as an unidentified corpse.

Until 1pm, I couldn't reach anyone I knew from the Rashtrya Sangskar Andolon. No calls went through. Even messages weren't sending due to network disruption. Around 1pm, I stepped outside and tried calling Faridul Haque Bhai. He picked up. He told me, "The Army Chief will deliver a speech at 2pm. We're hoping for good news. Hang in there."

I went upstairs and kept checking the clock again and again. At 2pm, I came down and told everyone, "The Army Chief is about to speak. Hasina might resign." Upon hearing that, someone behind me shouted, "Hasina has resigned!" Then he ran into Dhaka Medical, shouting, "Hasina has resigned!"

And that was it -- no one could hold the crowd back anymore. Everyone broke into a victory procession toward Shahbagh. By the time we got there, word was the Army Chief's address had been delayed by an hour. But Shahbagh was already erupting in the joy of victory.

What followed next... the people who longed for freedom will never forget.

BSS: Lately, July is being placed in contrast with the 1971 Liberation War. What's your view on that?
Ahmed Ishak: Look, the Liberation War was an armed struggle. July was a mass uprising. Anyone comparing the two, or trying to pit one against the other, is either opportunistic or a hypocrite.

That said, July is not separate from the Liberation War either. The aspiration of July was to complete the unfinished tasks of that war. Had the goals of the Liberation War been fulfilled, we wouldn't have needed '90, '13, or even '24.

BSS: On July 19, police blocked worshippers from entering Baitul Mokarram. We learnt you were in the Paltan area that day. Could you share your experience?

Ahmed Ishak: Since it was Friday, I had left early in the morning preparing for Jumma prayer. Just before the prayer, at Purana Paltan Mor, I met with comrades including Maulana Ehteshamul Haque Sakhi (former Central President of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Samaj), Nizamuddin Al Adnan (former Central President of Chhatra Jamiat Bangladesh), Ashiqur Rahman (former Central Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Chhatra Majlis), Mosharraf Hossain (Chief Coordinator of Bhashani Chhatra Parishad), BM Amir Jihadi (Central President of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Samaj), Gazi Ahmad Abdullah Musa (Tarun Alem Samaj), and other comrades.

As we headed towards Baitul Mokarram for prayer, the police stopped us. Even after stating our intention to pray, they did not allow us to proceed, likely because of our political affiliations.

At one point, I initiated the prayer on the road at Paltan Moor with my comrades. Immediately, the police threw a sound grenade at us. We scattered in different directions. When we reached near the Bijoynagar water tank, the rickshaw pullers blocked the entire road with their vehicles, and driving their rickshaws, they marched back toward Paltan Moor chanting slogans. There, we forced the police to retreat.

We then went to pray at the Paltan Mosque. Outside, the air was thick with tear gas smoke, dimming the surroundings. The sound grenade's noise made it difficult to hear the khutbah properly.

There is one scene I will never forget -- a homeless boy fighting the police with a brick in one hand. When the police fired tear shells toward him, I pulled him inside the mosque by force.

After prayer, while clashing with the police in front of Paltan Tower, I, my friend Majharul Islam Fakir (Chief Coordinator of NCP Workers' Wing), and Molla Rahmatullah (former convener of a faction of Chhatra Adhikar Parishad) were seriously injured.

BSS: Did you face any obstructions from your family? Or is there any memory where you deeply felt your family's presence?

Ahmed Ishak: My mother used to call all the time, crying. I always reassured her that I was safe. But two incidents left a deep mark on my heart.

First, after narrowly escaping police raids three times in a row, I went to my ancestral home in Cumilla. On August 3, I admitted my sister to a city hospital. My nephew was born. Without leaving any responsible male relative beside her, I slipped away from the hospital and returned to Dhaka to rejoin the movement. I traveled the whole way in tears -- on one side the revolution, on the other, my beloved elder sister! When I told her this, she broke down crying.

Second, on July 19, before heading out to the movement, I called my mother and talked to her for a while. She always said I looked handsome in white panjabi. So I wore a white panjabi-pajama and applied a long-lasting perfume. I wanted that if I became a martyr, my mother would see her martyr son looking beautiful. It was my way to comfort her, telling myself that from my body would emanate a heavenly fragrance.

BSS: Thank you!

Ahmed Ishak: You are welcome and thanks to BSS.