Nurul Haque Nur, former Vice President of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and current president of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, has been arrested on allegations of coordinating and funding the recent quota reform movement in Bangladesh. According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch of Police (DB), Nur skillfully operated behind the scenes to support and incite the movement.
DB officers report that Nur leveraged his experience from the 2018 quota movement, where he gained significant experience mobilizing regular students. Since then, Nur founded a political party and maintained contact with coordinators of the current quota movement. Authorities allege that he brought substantial funds from several Middle Eastern countries to support the movement, distributing approximately 6.5 million BDT to Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders in three areas of Dhaka—Badda, Mirpur, and Lalbagh—to provide supplies for protesters.
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On July 18, Nur was sent to jail after a five-day remand in connection with a case involving arson and vandalism at Setu Bhaban in the capital. During the court proceedings, Nur’s family alleged that he had been subjected to inhumane torture. On July 28, Nur was brought to court again, where police were granted another five-day remand for further questioning.
Nur was initially arrested from a residence in the Badda area of Dhaka during the quota reform movement. Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (DB) Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid on Sunday (July 28)in a press briefing held at DB office stated that they had received information about Nur’s involvement in financial transactions related to the movement and plan to bring all involved parties to justice.
Sources report that Nur has been involved in the quota movement from its inception, meeting with coordinators nightly at a house in Rampura, Dhaka. During questioning, Nur reportedly stated that he advised the movement’s coordinators to keep it student-led while he directed activities from the background. He mentioned that various programs were planned in consultation with him, aiming to differentiate them from political party activities.
Initially, Nur advised against involving political parties in the movement. However, he allegedly assured coordinators that he would bring in his party and other opposition groups as the movement neared success.
As the investigation into Nur’s alleged activities continues, authorities have also begun field investigations into a separate case of arson and vandalism on the metro rail. They have identified the involvement of a vested group in the metro rail violence and may question suspects as needed.
The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the complex interplay between student movements, politics, and allegations of foreign funding in Bangladesh’s ongoing social and political landscape.
Nur has faced numerous legal challenges. By December 2019, he had been arrested seven times during various movements. Notable cases against him include allegations of assault and vandalism during the 2019 DUCSU elections, a rape case filed by a Dhaka University student in September 2020, and accusations of engaging in anti-state conspiracy through alleged meetings with Mendi N Safadi, purportedly an agent of Israel’s Mossad. Despite these legal hurdles, Nur has continued his political activities, often being arrested during protests but later released on bail. His career has been marked by controversy and active involvement in student and youth-led political movements in Bangladesh, positioning him as a significant figure in the country’s evolving political landscape.
