Habiganj Detective Branch (DB) police on Saturday evening detained Mahdi Hasan, member secretary of the Habiganj district unit of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD).
According to SAD leaders and activists, Mahdi was picked up from a residence in the city’s Shayestanagar area and taken to Habiganj Sadar Police Station in a microbus.
Confirming the detention, Habiganj Superintendent of Police Yasmin Akter said Mahdi Hasan had been detained, adding that details regarding the grounds for the detention would be shared later.
Following his detention, leaders and activists of SAD gathered in front of the police station, demanding his immediate release and chanting slogans.
Earlier in the day, the central committee of SAD issued a show-cause notice to Mahdi Hasan, directing him to refrain from organisational activities for making what it termed “unwarranted statements.”
The notice, signed by Office Secretary Shahadat Hossain, said Mahdi’s remarks made during a discussion with the officer-in-charge (OC) of Shayestaganj Police Station were inconsistent with the organisation’s ideology and had tarnished its image. He was asked to submit a clear explanation within 24 hours.
The move followed the detention of Enamul Hasan Nayan, vice-president of Shayestaganj Sadar Union Chhatra League, by police late Thursday night on allegations of involvement with the banned Chhatra League.
After the detention, SAD leaders and activists laid siege to Shayestaganj Police Station on Friday, demanding Nayan’s release. A group led by Mahdi reportedly entered the OC’s room and argued with police officials.
A video of the incident later went viral on Facebook, showing Mahdi making controversial remarks while addressing the OC, triggering widespread criticism.
In that viral video, Mahdi is seen addressing the OC, saying: “We burned down Baniachong police station, and we set SI Santosh on fire. From that position, how dare you say, ‘So what if he is an SAD activist?’ Did so many of our brothers come here for nothing? Through the July movement, we formed the government. In this context, you are part of our administration. Yet you have arrested our people.”
After mediation by Additional Superintendent of Police (Habiganj Sadar Circle) Shahidul Islam, Nayan was released around 3:30 pm on Friday.
Mahdi Hasan later acknowledged receiving the show-cause notice, claiming his remarks were a “slip of the tongue.”
OC Abul Kalam said Nayan had been detained on suspicion in an anti-discrimination movement-related case and alleged links to Chhatra League, but was released after verification found no criminal involvement.