Leaders and activists of the central Anti-Discrimination Student Movement staged a sit-in at Shahbagh on Saturday night demanding the immediate release of Mahadi Hasan, the Habiganj district member secretary and a self-proclaimed July fighter. The protest began around 10 p.m., following an announcement made on the organization’s Facebook page at 9 p.m. Earlier that evening, police detained Mahadi from a lawyer’s residence in Habiganj town. According to the district convener Arif Talukdar, the reason for Mahadi’s detention was not clear, though police said it was for questioning.

The organization issued a one-hour ultimatum for Mahadi’s unconditional release, warning of nationwide action if the demand was not met. After the deadline passed without response, the group announced the Shahbagh sit-in at 10:15 p.m., calling on students and the public to join. The arrest followed a viral video showing Mahadi confronting a police officer in Shaistaganj over the detention of a student leader involved in the movement.

The group stated that if Mahadi was not released promptly, it would escalate its protest programs across the country.