Bangladesh’s anti-discrimination student movement rejected a video statement circulated by Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch police on the night of July 28, 2024, involving six detained central coordinators. The video showed Nahid Islam reading a written appeal to withdraw the movement and reopen educational institutions. It bore the signatures of Nahid Islam, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Abu Bakar Majumdar and Nusrat Tabassum, who had been taken into DB custody earlier that day.

The coordinators alleged they had been forced to make the statement while being held hostage and subjected to torture. In a message sent to the media, coordinator Abdul Kader announced nationwide student-public protests and rallies for July 29. DB said the coordinators had been brought to its office to ensure their safety, but some family members who visited the office were not allowed to meet them.

Teachers and students at Jahangirnagar University protested and demanded the release of coordinator Arif Sohel. Students at universities and colleges also declared plans to return to the streets. On July 28, students held graffiti, wall-writing and outreach activities nationwide. Mobile internet resumed after 10 days, while Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok and other services remained blocked.