Nazifa Jannat
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| Nazifa Jannat | |
|---|---|
| Native name | নাজিফা জান্নাত |
| Born | c. 1998 Lakshmipur, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh |
| 🏫 Education | East West University |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| 🏢 Organization | |
| Known for | Central coordinator, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (2024 July Uprising) |
| Movement | 2024 Bangladesh Students'–People's Uprising |
Nazifa Jannat (Bengali: নাজিফা জান্নাত; born c. 1998) is a Bangladeshi student activist and one of the central coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (বৈষম্যবিরোধী ছাত্র আন্দোলন) during the 2024 July Revolution (also known as the Students'–People's Uprising). A student of English at East West University in Dhaka, she led protests among private-university students in the Rampura area and played a pivotal role in uniting public and private university participants against the government of Sheikh Hasina. She is the Vice President of the Bangladesh Students' Union and has been vocal on issues of women's political representation, youth expectations from the interim government, and post-uprising democratic reforms. Jannat faced repeated persecution, including imprisonment in 2021, death threats, and police raids during the 2024 uprising. After the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, she represented private-university students in discussions on forming the interim government and has continued advocating for an inclusive, non-discriminatory Bangladesh.
Early life and education
She enrolled at East West University in 2017 to study English. During her college years, she engaged in volunteer work before becoming politically active at university. Influenced by leftist texts and the 2018 quota reform movement, she joined the Bangladesh Chhatra Union, a leftist student organisation, rejecting violent or terrorist politics.[1][2] .[3].[4]
Political activism
Early activism and 2021 imprisonment
Jannat's activism began in earnest at university. In February 2021, she participated in a torchlight procession protesting the custodial death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed, who had been arrested for criticising government corruption. She and six others were arrested, severely beaten by police, and charged with attempted murder. Held at Shahbagh and Dhanmondi police stations, she spent over ten days in jail during the COVID-19 pandemic before release through comrades' efforts ahead of Eid. In prison, she encountered inmates from various backgrounds, including those linked to Awami League financial scandals. The experience reinforced her view of the state apparatus as an "instrument of exploitation" and strengthened her resolve to protect the country.[5] .[6] She faced ongoing cyberbullying, death threats, and online smears from Awami League supporters. [7]
Role in the 2024 July Uprising
Jannat emerged as one of the 49 central coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the primary mobiliser of private-university students in Dhaka's Rampura area. Starting from early July 2024 (with preparations noted from June), she organised road blockades at Rampura Bridge, human chains, and rallies despite police presence. She formed a core group of 8–10 students from East West University, BRAC University, and other institutions, coordinating with groups like the Democratic Student Alliance. By 16 July, over 2,000 students, including schoolchildren, gathered under her leadership.[8]
On 7–9 July, she led processions to Shahbagh and participated in press briefings announcing class boycotts and the "Bangla Blockade". Communication shifted to text messages during the internet shutdown. On the night of 18 July near Rampura Bridge, police opened fire from both sides; Jannat led the procession, directing students verbally without a microphone as tear gas and bullets flew. She witnessed a student shot dead nearby and later described the day as the most terrifying of her life.[9]
Post-uprising activities
After Sheikh Hasina fled on 5 August 2024, Jannat rushed to Ganabhaban (the Prime Minister's official residence) and attempted to stop protesters from looting it, using a cycle rickshaw and microphone to make announcements and appealing to army personnel. She expressed frustration, stating it was national property.[10]
In October 2025, on International Day of the Girl Child, she urged families and communities to erase the notion that "women are weak" and nurture leadership in all children. She continues campus work on women's rights and has criticised post-revolution political compromises, including the National Citizen Party's alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, saying the uprising's spirit has been betrayed. [11]
References
- ↑ "কারাগারের অন্ধকারেই গড়ে ওঠে দেশ রক্ষার অটুট সংকল্প: নাজিফা জান্নাত" (in Bengali). Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). 30 June 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ "Women's role in July-Aug mass uprising in Bangladesh largely ignored". New Age. 26 October 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ "জুলাই অভ্যুত্থানের বাম ও মধ্যপন্থী মতাদর্শের তরুণদের নেতৃত্বে নতুন রাজনৈতিক প্ল্যাটফর্ম আসছে" (in Bengali). Prothom Alo. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ "New political platform NPA launched with 101-member central council". Prothom Alo English. 16 January 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ "Bangladesh's Gen-Z leaders brought down an autocrat – so why are they so glum before elections?". Scroll.in. 12 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ "Bangladesh, Gaza, and the Dangerous Illusion of "Stabilization"". Countercurrents. 14 January 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ "Bangladesh's Gen-Z leaders brought down an autocrat – so why are they so glum before elections?". Scroll.in. 12 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ "নাজিফা জান্নাত" (in Bengali). Duniya Kapano July. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ "The brave girls of July". The Daily Star. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ "We can unite forgetting differences between public and private universities". Prothom Alo. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ "Massive crackdown on students geared up July movement: Nazifa". Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). 30 June 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
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