'I'm a student at MC college': Viral video sparks debate over July fighter's identity
Records indicate that Sabbir Ahmad is a gazetted July Fighter. According to the Ministry of Health
A video showing a young man injured in police baton charges lying on the street outside the National Parliament has gone viral, sparking public debate over his identity as a "July Fighter." In the video, the young man, wearing a T-shirt labelled 'July Fighter', tells a journalist, "I am a student at Sylhet MC College. I have just passed my matriculation."
The incident occurred yesterday (17 October), just before the signature ceremony of the July National Charter, when Md Sabbir Ahmad, along with other July activists, joined a protest in front of the Parliament. During the demonstration, he was reportedly beaten by police.
Sabbir, whose family resides in Saheb Bazar, Sylhet, faced widespread online scrutiny after the video circulated, with some questioning whether he was a genuine July activist.
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The coordinator of the Sylhet chapter of the July Fighter Parliament, Abdur Rahim, said he did not personally know Sabbir and was unaware of his role during last year's July movement.
Records indicate that Sabbir Ahmad is a gazetted July Fighter. According to the Ministry of Health, he was treated at Sylhet Women's Hospital after being injured during last year's July protests. His profession is listed as driver and contractor.
In a statement yesterday, Sabbir said he suffered head and leg injuries from the police baton attack and was admitted to Pangu Hospital, later moving to Sylhet. "I was not fully conscious at the time. I do not remember how I responded to the questions asked by the journalists. Later, after watching the video, I realised that what I said was not appropriate."
Contrary to claims in the video, Sabbir clarified that he is not a student of MC College. "I studied up to class eight at Khasdabir School in Sylhet. Due to my family's financial constraints, I had to start working. I was employed at a clothing shop, but after being shot in the leg in Bandar Bazar during last year's July movement, I am no longer able to work."
Sabbir added that he went to Dhaka on Friday with a group of July activists from Sylhet to voice their demands.
