Amidst the political turmoil and instability in Bangladesh, there is a new political party in the bloc called National Citizens Party (NCP). Led by the so-called ‘student leaders’, the NCP is aiming to abolish the 1972 Bangladeshi constitution and usher in a new ‘Second Republic’.
The leaders of this pro-democratic National Citizens Party (NCP) have roots deeply entrenched into the Yunus led interim government.
Hindu minority groups in Bangladesh have accused the Yunus regime of being complicit in violence perpetrated against the religious minorities.
NCP wants to abolish the ‘Mujibist’ Constitution
One of the leaders of the NCP, Nahid Islam was a former adviser of the interim government and a key player in the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement. The student protests eventually culminated in the ousting of Sheikh Hasina and the political chaos in Bangladesh.
NCP wants to abolish the Bangladeshi constitution of 1972 which, according to its leaders, supports fascism. They want to replace it with a more democratic model that would support diversity and liberal values in the Bangladeshi community.
Another leader of NCP, Sarjis Alam addressed a gathering on Sunday where it claimed that ‘leaders and activists’ at the Central Shaheed Minar wanted dismantling of the 1972 “Mujibist” constitution.
Sarjis said, “We want to make it clear from this platform today, the 1972 Constitution was a one-party constitution. Its draft was approved from another country. We cannot allow this Mujibist constitution to remain in Bangladesh any longer. We have come here today to this stage to demand the dismantling of that constitution and the establishment of a new one.”
Who is NCP leader Sarjis Alam?
Sarjis Alam is a student leader and former SAD activist who is heavily backed by the Yunus regime to transform Bangladesh through ‘democratic’ reforms. Alam is also hands in glove with the Yunus regime. He had said, “Want to see Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in power for five years.” adding “I will always have the desire to have a statesman like Prof Yunus as the prime minister of an elected government of Bangladesh for five years.”
In May, a government employee was suspended with a case filed against him for commenting on a social media post made by ex SAD student leader Sarjis Alam. The employee had said, “You lobby for secretaries to be appointed from allies of the autocratic regime, and then you preach to us—really, brother?”
Sarjis Alam’s Rhetoric
On the Sunday rally at Central Shaheed Minar, Sarjis Alam went on saying, “We emerged from 200 years of British colonial rule into a new era, but we were not given our rights. We lived under Pakistani rule for 23 years with no rights. Now, in 54 years of independent Bangladesh, still no rights. A year ago from this very stage, we announced the downfall of the killer Hasina and envisioned the end of the fascist regime and the beginning of a new political arrangement, yet we still have no rights. We do not want to hear any more words of despair.”
Alam further added, “Many who stood at this Shaheed Minar a year ago are now martyrs. Many others are injured. Their families are present here today. We have come to demand justice for our martyred brothers. We have come to demand justice for the bloodshed suffered by our wounded fighters. We have come to demand justice against the Jubo League and Chhatra League, who shed the blood of our brothers. We have sought a guarantee from this government for fundamental reforms. We are here to ensure the rehabilitation of the families of the martyrs and proper medical treatment for the wounded fighters.”
NCP Manifesto
NCP also released its 24-point manifesto plan for “New Bangladesh” and “Second Republic.” As per a report published on Dhaka Tribune, “The manifesto proposes the drafting of a new constitution through a Constituent Assembly, aiming to establish an equitable, inclusive, democratic, and welfare-oriented republic that eliminates dictatorship, dynastic politics, and fascist tendencies. It envisions a system where power is balanced across the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.”
The NCP manifesto pledges to uphold complete press freedom by reforming the Press Council, preventing media monopolies, and safeguarding against political interference in the media. It also says that the NCP commits to strengthening civil society. In healthcare, the party proposes universal coverage, GPS-tracked ambulances, electronic health records, and a focus on mental health services. Education plans include greater investment, promotion of STEM disciplines, and unifying various education systems to foster a knowledge-driven society.
The manifesto also sets forth an ambitious vision for research and innovation, proposing 50-year projects in areas like AI and biotechnology, upgrades to lab infrastructure, and enhanced cybersecurity measures. On social matters, the NCP emphasizes protecting the nation’s religious, ethnic, and cultural pluralism, promoting women’s empowerment through 100 reserved seats in Parliament, and formally recognizing housework as a contributor to the GDP.
The Contradictory Manifesto
The manifesto is in stark contradiction with the actions of the NCP leaders. Immediately after the launch of the NCP, there was an outrage regarding the inclusion of gay activist Mohammad Muntasir Rahman from hardline factions within the party. NCP leaders Md Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, clearly stated then, “We are Muslims first, and anything that goes against Islamic values will have no space in our politics.”
According to a former Indian official to Bangladesh, NCP was propped up as a tool to secure political legitimacy for the Islamists. “Groups like Jamaat know that they will not get more than 5 per cent of the vote by themselves. But with student activists at the forefront, there will be some legitimacy for these extremists.”
Last month, Radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami of Bangladesh declared a comeback into electoral politics after Supreme Court accepted its registration as a political party. The High Court of Bangladesh banned Jamaat-e-Islami in 2013 for its unconstitutional party nature that violates the secular fabric of Bangladesh.
