The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called upon a political party to publicly explain its stance on the historic 1971 Liberation War and the national anthem. Without naming Jamaat-e-Islami or Islami Chhatra Shibir, the party—founded by leaders of the July uprising—issued a statement Monday morning urging a “clear political explanation” from the group in question.
In the statement titled “NCP’s position on recent political debates,” the NCP alleged that one particular party had voiced “objectionable slogans” and adopted an “anti-people, anti-liberation stance,” prompting public concern. “The concerned party must take full responsibility for this. Any attempt to implicate the NCP in such acts is entirely unwarranted and unacceptable,” it said.
The NCP categorically denied that any of its members had raised slogans against the spirit of the Liberation War during recent protests. “On the contrary, our speeches and slogans reflected the historic struggles of this region—1947, 1971, and 2024. Even when some objected to the rendition of the national anthem during demonstrations, NCP members stood firm and sang it with conviction,” the statement noted.
Clarifying its political philosophy, the party emphasised, “The NCP believes that acknowledgment and respect for the historic struggles of 1947, 1971, and 2024 are fundamental prerequisites for engaging in politics in Bangladesh.”
It added, “Those who opposed the people’s war in 1971 or are accused of complicity in genocide must now present a clear political stance to the nation—one that strengthens national consensus and aids in realising the aspirations of the 2024 uprising.”
Highlighting the concept of “Bangladesh-oriented” politics, the NCP stressed that those persecuted under the previous fascist regime and who played a role in the 2024 uprising must continue to contribute to building a new Bangladesh with a resolute pro-Bangladesh stance.
“In cases where previous political ideologies have fostered division or discord, it is the responsibility of the concerned parties to clarify their positions before the people and move toward national unity,” the NCP said. “Only through greater unity among the people of Bangladesh can Mujibism be comprehensively overcome.”
The statement called for “visionary decisions and responsible conduct from all sides for a prosperous and just future for the people of Bangladesh.”