‘Many people are using July for their own interests’: Nusrat Jahan

It was 31 July 2024.

The announced programme for the day was the 'March for Justice' in protest against the nationwide killings, mass arrests, assaults, lawsuits and disappearances surrounding the Quota Reform movement.

In Dhaka, protesters were heading towards the High Court. But not everyone dared to come out of their homes as arbitrary arrests ran rampant. 

Among those who did, there were two Stamford University students — Nusrat and Noor. They eventually reached the High Court Mazar gate. 

Suddenly, two police officers arrived and dragged Noor into a prison van. A fierce Nusrat stood alone in front of the police vehicle, trying to block it with her hands. The police were laughing from inside the van. 

"Run over me!" Nusrat screamed.

With a bag on her shoulder and glasses on her eyes, Nusrat's image, as a 'symbol of resistance', quickly circulated across social media and news outlets.

At that moment, Nusrat's eyes burned with the fire of protest against the violation of rights. After the fall of Hasina, that courage transformed into countless dreams.

But it has been a year since that fateful day. How are Nusrat's dreams holding up?

"The dreams and courage I had at that moment have become quite fragile after a year. Honestly, on one hand, I can't entirely give up hope for the country, but on the other hand, I can't feel satisfied either. It's that kind of situation," Nusrat told TBS in a recent interview.

"However, yes, I've always been optimistic about our chief adviser. I believe he is a good person. He genuinely wants to do something good for the country. But sadly, he is surrounded by some dishonest individuals who are busy pursuing their own interests. They are the hidden enemies of the nation," she added.

"Sometimes I feel that perhaps the seat of power itself is cursed. Whoever sits there becomes corrupted and loses their integrity," Nusrat continued, her face marked with deep resentment toward the state.

Nusrat said that it surprises her that a whole year has passed, and yet we have not seen any effective reform measures. So many commissions were formed, they prepared reports, gave numerous recommendations, but no steps have been taken to implement them.

The July Uprising originally started over the quota system in jobs. Yet, she mentioned with disappointment, there has not been even a single commission on education or employment, nor any reform initiatives.

"It's true that we have many expectations from the interim government. But what has disappointed us the most is their failure to initiate justice after a genocide occurred. That should have been their first and foremost responsibility," she noted.

Where are the women? Where are the private university students?

The entire world, not just Bangladesh, witnessed how women stood as shields and played a key role in the July Uprising.

And on the other hand, how the students of private universities revived a nearly extinguished movement on 18 July is also widely acknowledged.

But where are the women? Where are the private university students?

"I belong to both these groups — I am a woman and a private university student. It deeply saddens me that in reform talks, the participation of these two groups is very limited. It's not that they disappeared after fighting — rather, they were never included, never invited," Nusrat said.

"Not just that. Let me share something else: As July frontliners, we are sometimes invited to programmes at the ministries. I've even heard some advisors say, 'Where are the girls? Where are the private university students? Include them, otherwise people will complain.' As if they are invited just to check a box — to show the public that they are being included.

"Forget the private universities. Apart from Dhaka University, can you show me how many students from other public universities are on the frontlines now? No one. So, where did the discrimination go, tell me?"

'People offer me money in return for a favour'

Because the incident of the prison van went viral, everyone now recognises Nusrat. 

Since July, many people — both known and unknown — have approached her with financial offers, asking her to get something done for them or recommend them to someone close to power.

"Many people are trying to use July for their own interests. I find it disgusting. I've told them directly: You're making a mistake if you think of me this way. In July, I risked my life and took to the streets for freedom, not to become a broker. My ethics and family values are not so shallow that I would sell out for money."

Nusrat explains the matter this way to those who are educated. But there are many who are less educated, from rural areas, and it is difficult to make them understand. 

"I just tell them: I'm not involved in politics, I'm just an ordinary person, a regular student. I have no political power. So please don't ask for such things from me."

Nusrat said she currently has no desire to enter politics. "Because I feel there has never really been healthy politics in our country, and it doesn't seem like there will be any in the near future either," she said.

"As a citizen, I will continue trying to do something for the country from my personal capacity."

Nusrat has become a voter recently. She is eagerly looking forward to the next election to cast her first vote in life.

However, she believes that some fundamental reforms were urgently needed before the election; otherwise, it would be difficult to ensure a fair election.

"I just don't want the voting to happen at night. I don't want to go to the polling station only to find out that my vote has already been cast. I have only one demand regarding the election — that it be free and fair," Nusrat concluded.