Nahid calls for swift trial of July uprising massacre

Nahid Islam, convener of the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) and former adviser to the interim government, today urged for swift execution of trials for the mass killings committed during the July uprising.

"The Awami League's political fate must be decided on this land through the judicial process," he said.

He made these remarks while speaking to journalists after paying tribute to the valiant martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar.

Nahid highlighted the nation's history of struggle, from the partition of 1947 to the Liberation War of 1971 and the 2024 student-led uprising.

Aklakur Rahman Akash

"We aim to build a new Bangladesh that embodies the aspirations of these battles, and the NCP is working towards that goal," he said.

He further said that despite achieving independence through the 1971 war, the country's sovereignty has repeatedly come under threat.

"Our democratic institutions have collapsed time and again. We have failed to establish a truly democratic constitution. The seeds of fascism and one-party autocracy were sown through a unitary constitution," he said.

Calling for a new republic, he stressed the need for a fresh constitution and an elected constituent assembly.

"This is why we have proposed the 'Second Republic,' and we are working towards it," he added.

Nahid highlighted the nation's history of struggle, from the partition of 1947 to the Liberation War of 1971 and the 2024 student-led uprising.

"We aim to build a new Bangladesh that embodies the aspirations of these battles, and the NCP is working towards that goal," he said.

He further said that despite achieving independence through the 1971 war, the country's sovereignty has repeatedly come under threat.

"Our democratic institutions have collapsed time and again. We have failed to establish a truly democratic constitution. The seeds of fascism and one-party autocracy were sown through a unitary constitution," he said.

Calling for a new republic, he stressed the need for a fresh constitution and an elected constituent assembly.

"This is why we have proposed the 'Second Republic,' and we are working towards it," he added.

Speaking on the party's expansion, Nahid said the NCP is actively strengthening its organisational activities.

"We will soon fulfil the necessary conditions for Election Commission registration. By this month, we will initiate the process of drafting our constitution," he stated.

"We will honour those who were martyred in the July uprising. By paying tribute to the martyrs of 1971 and July, we will embark on our journey," he said.

Expressing concerns over the prolonged wait for democracy, Nahid said, "This time, democracy must not be delayed. The 2024 uprising must not go in vain. A new Bangladesh cannot be built under the old constitution and governance system. Changing the government alone will not ensure the people's welfare."

He further said that the student protesters of the uprising did not shed blood merely for a change in leadership but for a complete overhaul of the governance and constitutional framework.

"Our goal is to establish a system where genuine democracy, justice, and equality prevail," he added.

Nahid also reiterated his call for justice, urging the interim government to prosecute those involved in the July killings and the alleged oppression of the past 15 years.

"The people of Bangladesh demand swift trials. Following these trials, the National Consensus Commission must promptly proceed with a national dialogue and implement the July charter and declaration," he added.

Later, the party leaders also visited the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Rayerbazar.

The central committee leaders of NCP paid floral worth to the martyrs at the National Memorial, formally starting the journey of the newly formed party. After paying tribute, they observed one minute of silence there.