In his first public interview since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader revealed he hid in a bathroom for five hours during the mass student-led uprising on August 5. Speaking to Indian outlet The Wall, Quader described the chaos and fear as protesters stormed a neighborhood home where he had taken refuge, forcing him and his wife to conceal themselves as rioters looted the property.
Eventually discovered, Quader said protesters debated whether to hand him over to the army or the crowd, but two individuals helped him escape disguised as one of them. He later remained in Bangladesh for three months, monitoring labor unrest before fleeing to India due to health concerns and legal pressure.
Quader denied ever directing student group Chhatra League to suppress protesters and distanced himself from allegations of corruption and repression, stating, “Time will judge our contributions and our faults.” He rejected claims of being sidelined post-uprising, asserting continued support from party leadership and multiple reappointments as General Secretary.
