Rifat Rashid
Political activist of Bangladesh
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Mohammad Rashidul Islam Rifat (Bengali: মোহাম্মদ রশিদুল ইসলাম রিফাত), commonly known as Rifat Rashid (Bengali: রিফাত রশিদ), is a Bangladeshi student leader and political activist.[1] He is the chief organizer of Jatiya Jubo Shakti, the youth wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP).[2] Before joining NCP, Rifat served as the president of Students Against Discrimination.[3]
Rifat Rashid | |
|---|---|
রিফাত রশিদ | |
 Rashid in 2025 | |
| Chief Organizer of Jatiya Jubo Shakti | |
| Assumed office 25 April 2026 | |
| President | Tarikul Islam |
| General Secretary | Forhad Sohel |
| President of Students Against Discrimination | |
| In office 25 June 2025 – 18 April 2026 | |
| Member Secretary | Hasan Enam |
| Preceded by | Hasnat Abdullah (as Convener) |
| Succeeded by | Advisory Council |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mohammad Rashidul Islam Rifat Cumilla District, Bangladesh |
| Party | National Citizen Party |
Other political affiliations | Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti (2023–2024) |
| Alma mater | University of Dhaka |
| Occupation | Student leader Political activist |
Known for | July Uprising |
Rifat gained national prominence as one of the key coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination movement during the July Uprising of 2024, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.[1] When six front-line coordinators were detained by the Detective Branch (DB) and forced to announce the withdrawal of the movement on 28 July 2024, Rifat was among the four coordinators who rejected the announcement and continued leading the protests, ultimately contributing to the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024.[1]
Early life and education
Mohammad Rashidul Islam Rifat was born in Cumilla District, Bangladesh.[1] He grew up in Cumilla but later moved to Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka.[1]
Rifat was admitted to Dhaka University in the 2020–21 session.[1] Even before classes began, he became involved in student politics when a friend from the Journalism Department was tortured by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists at Ekattor Hall.[1] He organized a protest program against the abuse, which marked the beginning of his political engagement at Dhaka University.[1]
However, Rifat could not stay in university halls for more than a few days due to harassment from Chhatra League activists. After being forced out of Ekattor Hall, he tried relocating to Haji Mohammad Mohsin Hall but faced similar harassment.[1] He refused to bow to the demands of BCL leaders, which resulted in continuous harassment.
Political activism
Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti
Rifat became involved with Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti (Democratic Student Force), a student organization formed on 4 October 2023 under the leadership of Akhter Hossen.[1] The organization emerged as a platform for students who opposed the dominance of Bangladesh Chhatra League on university campuses.
July Uprising (2024)
Early involvement
On 5 June 2024, when the government reintroduced the quota system for public service jobs, it triggered strong reactions on university campuses.[1] That afternoon, Akhter Hossen called an online meeting, and before any decision was made, Rifat preemptively posted in two university groups announcing a protest march at 7:00 PM.[1] He explained his decision: "I did it early because I feared political parties or opportunistic actors might hijack the movement."[1]
During the meeting, Rifat shared what he had done, and the other coordinators agreed. Understanding social media and digital networks well, he was assigned to coordinate online mobilization.[1] That same night, he created a Facebook group and connected with students and seniors from other universities. He reached out to admins of job-prep groups and offered them moderator roles in the group.[1]
Rifat was instrumental in drafting the movement's demands. He handwrote the draft of the four-point demand that became central to the Students Against Discrimination platform.[1]
Coordination during the movement
The coordinators stayed in a place in Chankharpul they called "Swapno" (Dream), with Room 601 serving as their base of operations.[1] As Eid approached, the coordinators were concerned that momentum might be lost during the break. They issued an ultimatum that the government had until 30 June to reform the quota system.[1] Most coordinators did not go home for Eid, instead using the break to coordinate, run online campaigns, and connect with other student groups already active in anti-authoritarian struggles.[1]
On 8 July 2024, when the movement expanded its leadership team to 65 members (comprising 23 coordinators and 42 co-coordinators), Rifat was included as one of the key coordinators.
Rejection of forced withdrawal
On 26–28 July 2024, six front-line coordinators—Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, Abu Bakar Majumder, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, and Nusrat Tabassum—were detained by the Detective Branch of police.[4] On 28 July at around 8:00 PM, these six coordinators were coerced into recording a video message from the DB office announcing the withdrawal of all protest programs.[5]
Rifat was among the four coordinators who remained free and immediately rejected the announcement.[1] When asked why he opposed the withdrawal announcement, Rifat explained: "It wasn't about trust, it was about circumstances. They were taken to DB and forced to read a statement. It was obvious. Before being arrested, Asif Bhai had told us, 'Whoever is on the field will lead.' So we didn't accept that statement. I was scared then wondering if people would still listen to us. But we decided to reject the DB's announcement and continue the movement. That was a very difficult time."[1]
Alongside coordinators Abdul Kader, Abdul Hannan Masud, and Mahin Sarkar, Rifat declared that the six detained coordinators had been coerced and that the movement would continue.[6] This decision proved critical in maintaining the momentum of the uprising.
Continuation of protests
On 31 July 2024, Rifat signed a press release announcing a nationwide program titled "Remembering the Heroes" for 1 August, in memory of those killed, injured, and tortured by police during the quota reform movement.[7][circular reference] He called for online and offline campaigns using the hashtags "#July Massacre" and "#RememberingOurHeroes" on social media platforms.[7]
Rifat confirmed the release of the six detained coordinators on 1 August 2024 through a Facebook post.[4] Following their release, the coordinators jointly stated that their video announcement from DB custody was not voluntary and that they had been forced to make the statement.[8]
The protests continued and intensified, ultimately leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 5 August 2024.
Post-uprising activities
Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad
Following the July Uprising, efforts began to form a new student organization. On 26 February 2025, the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad (Bangladesh Democratic Student Council) was launched with Abu Bakar Majumder as convener.[9]
On 27 February 2025, a 205-member central committee was announced. Rifat was appointed as senior joint member secretary.[9] However, the same day, Rifat resigned from the newly formed organization citing personal reasons.[10] Sources indicated that his resignation stemmed from dissatisfaction with his position, which did not align with his expectations.[9]
Students Against Discrimination presidency
On 25 June 2025, the first central council of Students Against Discrimination was held at the platform's central office in Rupayan Tower at Banglamotor, Dhaka.[3] Rifat was elected as president of the organization, with Sheikh Enamul Hasan (Hasan Enam) elected as general secretary.[3] Moinul Islam was elected as organizing secretary, and Sinthiya Zaheen Ayesha was elected as spokesperson.[3]
Suspension of regional committees
On 27 July 2025, Rifat announced the suspension of all regional committees of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement across Bangladesh, excluding the central committee.[11] The decision followed allegations of extortion against some regional coordinators.
In an emergency press conference at Shahbagh, Rifat stated: "We have observed several incidents, including yesterday's, where individuals tried to misuse the SAD banner for unethical activities. We had warned from the beginning that such actions would not be tolerated. Unfortunately, under the influence of political parties, some members engaged in corrupt practices, which have now become nearly impossible for us to control."[11]
He urged law enforcement agencies to take legal action against those involved in such activities, stating: "From today, if anyone tries to commit any wrongdoing using the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, please take action against them. If any assistance is needed, we are willing to cooperate while remaining respectful of the law."[12]
National Citizen Party
Jatiya Jubo Shakti
On 16 May 2025, the National Citizen Party (NCP) launched its youth wing, Jatiya Jubo Shakti (National Youth Power), at Shaheed Abrar Fahad Avenue in Dhaka.[13] A 131-member convening committee was announced, comprising representatives from all 64 districts of Bangladesh.[14]
Advocate Tariqul Islam was appointed as convenor, Dr. Jahedul Islam as member secretary, and Engineer Forhad Sohel as chief organizer.[13] Yasin Arafat was appointed as senior organizer working with the chief organizer.[13]
In April 2026, Rifat Rashid officially joined the NCP's Jatiya Jubo Shakti as chief organizer, succeeding Forhad Sohel in the position.[2] His appointment was announced through a message from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, confirming his transition into the National Citizen Party's organizational structure.[2]
Political positions
Rifat views the July Uprising as a result of collective student action and emphasizes the importance of maintaining the movement's independence from political party manipulation. He has stated that the movement must remain focused on its core demands of justice, accountability, and systemic reform rather than being co-opted by established political interests.[1]
Speaking about the movement's organization during the uprising, Rifat noted: "It wasn't just us, it had become a mass movement. Everything was shut down. People took to the streets demanding justice for their children."[1]