Mahdi Hasan returns home with a bag of questions

Mahdi Hasan, a leader of the Habiganj district unit of the Students Against Discrimination, returned home on Wednesday (18 February) afternoon after facing questioning by Indian authorities during a visit to New Delhi.

Mahdi had travelled to India to apply for a Portuguese visa. While at a visa processing centre in Connaught Place on Tuesday (17 February) morning, he was reportedly identified by someone who recorded a video of him and shared it on social media, BBC Bangla reported.Shortly afterwards, Indian intelligence officials began monitoring his movements, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The controversy surrounding Mahdi stems from a viral video circulated about a month ago in Bangladesh, in which he was seen at Shayestaganj Police Station allegedly threatening a police officer and claiming involvement in violent acts.

He was arrested in January following criticism over the video but was later released amid protests by supporters.

Sources said that Indian officials questioned Mahdi at Delhi airport before his scheduled IndiGo flight to Dhaka on Wednesday.

He was reportedly interrogated for around 30 minutes but was not physically harmed.

According to the sources, he was informed that individuals accused of making anti-India remarks or claiming involvement in violence would not be allowed to remain in the country. His Indian visa was reportedly cancelled.

Mahdi later alleged in a social media video that he was detained and “harassed” in Delhi and claimed his safety was at risk. He denied rumors that cryptocurrency was found in his possession.Upon arrival in Bangladesh, Mahdi said he was also briefly questioned by authorities at the airport before being cleared.

Indian officials have not issued any public statement on the matter.