In a dramatic break from tradition, Hasnat Abdullah took his oath as a member of parliament wearing the same green jersey that has become a symbol of his years-long struggle for justice and activism.
The 2024 July uprising, student protests, and the formation of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) all bear the mark of this iconic jersey – now carried into the halls of the nation’s legislature.
The ceremony took place on Tuesday, at the oath hall of the Bangladesh National Parliament.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath to the newly elected members of the 13th national parliament in the second phase, which included representatives from Jamaat, independents, and National Citizens’ Party (NCP) including Hasnat Abdullah.
Hasnat, elected from Comilla-4, arrived at the Parliament Secretariat around 11:30am, immediately drawing attention. The front of his jersey displayed his department name, the Dhaka University logo was visible on the left shoulder, and the back bore his name “Hasnat” along with the number 10.
The jersey is a potent symbol of Hasnat’s activism. He wore it during the 2024 July uprising, leading student movements against administrative harassment, and at the NCP’s inaugural event.
He even donned it during the interim government’s oath ceremonies after the fall of the previous administration.
Political analysts say Hasnat’s choice sends a strong message, the fight for justice and equality continues inside Parliament.
During July uprising, when he was asked by a reporter why he does not change the jersey, Hasnat said that he usually lives at Bijoy Ekattor Hall, but on that day he joined the movement wearing the same outfit from his residence in Banasree.
He said that members of Chhatra League launched a sudden attack that day and beat him brutally. Since then, he has taken a vow that he will not remove the jersey until the fall of authoritarian rule. Therefore, the jersey is not merely a piece of meme material, but a symbol of resistance, determination and protest against authoritarianism.
For Hasnat, the green jersey is more than an attire. It is a testament to resilience, student activism, and grassroots struggle.
From hunger strikes at Dhaka University to leading anti-discrimination campaigns, the jersey has become a national symbol of his journey. By wearing it into Parliament, Hasnat Abdullah has made a statement that power does not erase the road from protest to politics – and that the voice of the people marches with him.
Earlier in the day, BNP leaders had taken their oaths in the first phase. Following the parliamentary oaths, BNP held a party meeting where Tarique Rahman was formally elected parliamentary leader.
