Student activists who played a crucial role in the protests that led to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s removal are set to establish a new political party this week, sources familiar with the matter confirmed.

The Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement, initially formed to challenge public sector job quotas, quickly evolved into a nationwide uprising. The demonstrations, which reached their peak in August last year, ultimately forced Hasina to flee to India under mounting pressure.

According to sources, the student-led party is expected to formally launch on Wednesday, with Nahid Islam—an influential student leader and adviser to the interim government—likely to serve as the party’s convener. Islam, a key advocate for student rights, is expected to step down from his role in Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’ interim administration to focus on his new political position.

Neither Islam nor Yunus’ office has commented on the development. However, Yunus has previously stated that Bangladesh could hold elections by the end of 2025, though he has ruled out running for office himself.

Political analysts believe a youth-led party could significantly reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape, offering an alternative to the country’s entrenched political elites.

Since Hasina’s departure, Bangladesh has remained unstable, with ongoing political unrest following the deaths of over 1,000 people during the protests. A recent UN Human Rights Commission report accused officials from Hasina’s former government and security forces of committing serious human rights violations against demonstrators—allegations that Hasina and her party deny.

The emergence of a student-driven political party signals a major shift in Bangladesh’s political future as the country prepares for its next elections.