Mohammad Muntasir Rahman
Mohammad Muntasir Rahman | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Alma mater | Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology |
| Occupations | Civil engineer, human rights activist |
| Organization | Byanjona Foundation |
| Known for | LGBTQ+ rights advocacy |
| Movement | July Uprising |
Mohammad Muntasir Rahman is a Bangladeshi civil engineer, human rights activist, and LGBTQ+ rights advocate. He is a graduate of Ahsanullah University. He is associated with Byanjona Foundation, a feminist organization in Bangladesh. In 2025, Rahman was appointed to the founding committee of the National Citizens' Party (NCP). Conservative party members sharply criticized his appointment, highlighting his pro-queer advocacy, and after public controversy Rahman was removed.[1]
Activism
July Uprising
During the July Uprising of 2024, Rahman provided shelter to student activists fleeing police forces in Dhaka during the government-imposed internet blackout between 18 and 28 July 2024.[2] NCP leader Abdul Hannan Masud later stated that, after being pursued by security forces at Kuwait-Maitree Hospital in Uttara, he and fellow student activists had taken refuge with Rahman's assistance in the offices of an international organization.[3][4]
National Citizens' Party committee membership
In February 2025, the National Citizens' Party (NCP) appointed Rahman to its 151-member founding committee.[1] However, a few hours after the announcement, his homosexual orientation became a topic of controversy in the media.[5][6][3][7] For a few days, most media coverage of the NCP focused on Rahman.[1]
Following objections from conservative NCP leaders Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, Rahman was removed from the expanded 217-member convening committee on 1 March 2025.[6][8] JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France, a France-based human rights organization, condemned the removal and the social media commentary directed at Rahman and the broader LGBTQ+ community.[9]
Pro-Queer activism
Rahman advocated for gender equality and sexual minority rights in Bangladesh through social media and local activist groups.[10] In October 2025, Rahman defended Sahara Chowdhury and transgender rights during her hunger strike at Shaheed Minar, Dhaka.[11]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 Bhardwaj, Maya. "A Year After the Uprising in Bangladesh, Activists Hold on to Hope Amid Backlash". Truthout.
Rahman has also been involved in queer organizing and human rights work for years. When the media and right-wing forces got wind of Rahman's involvement in queer activism, his identity became a national media story. Anti-queer attacks against Rahman dominated press coverage of the NCP for days.
- ↑ "Pride Under Pressure: The Escalating Crisis for LGBT+ Communities in Bangladesh". iProbono. February 2026.
- 1 2 "NCP faces backlash over LGBTQ inclusion in leadership". Observer BD. 2 March 2025.
- ↑ "Muntasir Rahman Removed from NCP Committee for Being an LGBTQ Activist". Minority Watch. March 2025.
- ↑ "Country policy and information note: sexual orientation and gender identity, Bangladesh". UK Home Office. April 2026.
Muntasir Rahman, an LGBTQ advocate and openly gay individual, queer organisers were systematically excluded from recognition and decision-making space.
- 1 2 "A mixed bag in NCP convening committee". The Daily Star. 3 March 2025.
- ↑ Majumdar, Arkamoy Datta (2025-03-12). "How a new political party has Dhaka divided further". India Today. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
The first major controversy erupted within hours of the NCP's launch. The inclusion of Mohammad Muntasir Rahman, an openly gay activist and key figure in the July uprising, in the 151-member national committee sparked outrage among conservative factions.
- ↑ Campbell, Charlie. "Exclusive: Bangladesh's Prodigal Son". Time.
Muntasir Rahman, an out gay LGBTQ-rights advocate, was removed from the NCP's central committee after a backlash from party conservatives.
- ↑ "JMBF Strongly Condemns Discriminatory and Hateful Remarks Against the LGBTQI+ Community". JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France. 2 March 2025.
- ↑ "Bangladesh: New political party seeks reform but ousts member for being gay". 76 Crimes. 9 March 2025.
- ↑ ""I was ready to die": Between despair and defiance". Netra News. 14 October 2025.