National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Tuesday said the people of Bangladesh are united against what he termed the ‘collaborators of 1971 and 2024,’ expressing optimism that the country is heading toward victory through reform and unity.
Speaking after placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar on the occasion of Victory Day, Nahid said Bangladesh was born in 1971 with the promise of equality and human dignity, but those aspirations remain unfulfilled even after more than five decades of independence.
“Although we achieved independence, equality, human dignity and social justice were denied. Instead, fascism was imposed on the country,” he said, adding that the mass uprising and revolution of 2024 were organised in response to that system.
Referring to the historical struggles of the people of this land from 1947 to 1971 and again from 1971 to 2024, Nahid said the NCP considers itself the political heir to those movements. “We want to rebuild Bangladesh by carrying forward that legacy,” he said.
Nahid alleged that defeated and fascist forces are attempting to destabilise the country and derail the upcoming election. He cautioned that citizens must ensure their own security, as reliance on the government alone would not be sufficient.
On the upcoming election, he described it as a ‘referendum’ on reform. He said NCP candidates would approach voters seeking public support for structural reforms and urged young people to remain united in favour of forward-looking politics.
The NCP convener also said the safety of the July fighters cannot be ensured by depending on the government or police. Recalling the period after 5 August, he said people had secured themselves at a time when there was no functioning government or police force, warning that the country may again face a similar situation.
“Our security must be ensured by our own organisation among the people,” he said, calling for public awareness and vigilance.
Extending Victory Day greetings to the nation, Nahid recalled that on 16 December, 1971, the surrender of Pakistani forces marked the emergence of Bangladesh. However, he said the people had repeatedly been betrayed over the past 54 years.
He concluded by saying that the people of Bangladesh now seek stability and a normal law-and-order situation, while criticising the government for failing to arrest those allegedly involved in attacks and attempted killings, despite repeated demands.
