Bangladesh’s political landscape has been dramatically reshaped following the 2024 uprising, with key leaders, including NCP Convenor Nahid Islam, emphasising the nation’s move beyond the divisive politics of “for or against ’71.”
In a Facebook post on Friday, Nahid Islam shared his thoughts, highlighting that while the principles of equity, dignity, and justice established during the Liberation War remain valued, they should no longer be wielded as political tools to divide the nation.
“The values of ’71—freedom, sovereignty, and justice—were reaffirmed in ’24 through a democratic and anti-discriminatory movement,” Islam wrote, stressing that the true spirit of the Liberation War had been reclaimed by the 2024 uprising.
Nahid further pointed out those previous efforts to tie the Liberation War narrative to Indian interests had undermined Bangladesh’s sovereignty, but the 2024 movement reasserted the country’s independence and sovereignty as the foundational forces.
His statement echoed the broader sentiment that the ’24 uprising was not merely a political event but a collective stand against authoritarianism, fascism, and domination.
It united diverse political forces around a common goal—building a democratic and egalitarian Bangladesh.
According to Nahid Islam, a new generation of leaders has emerged, one that seeks to move beyond the historical ideological divides that have long plagued the nation.
“The fight for ’24 is not about being pro-’71 or anti-’71,” Islam explained. “’71 is a historical foundation—a principle to be respected—but it should no longer dominate political legitimacy. We must now build our politics around the values of ’24.”
In his post, He called for a shift in political culture that prioritizes unity, reconciliation, and national progress. “We have already crossed over from ’71 to ’24,” he said. “We are committed to defeating all forms of authoritarianism and building a society that values democracy and inclusivity.”
While acknowledging the significance of historical events like ’71, Nahid Islam emphasized that Bangladesh’s future must be shaped by consensus, compassion, and collective responsibility. “The uprising of ’24 is about national unity, not revenge,” he wrote, urging the country to move beyond cycles of retribution and manipulation.
He concluded by stating that the 2024 uprising was a transformative movement that could help resolve long-standing historical questions. He called for a new political framework that reflects the aspirations of the ’24 generation, one that leaves behind outdated ideological divides and embraces a future grounded in unity, democracy, and progress.