Staff Correspondent

One year on from the Students Against Discrimination announcing their historic 1-point demand (the resignation of the then-government) at the Central Shaheed Minar, the same venue on Sunday witnessed the unveiling of the National Citizen Party, or NCP’s “Manifesto for New Bangladesh”. The NCP is the political party that evolved in the aftermath of last year’s student-led Uprising that brought down the Awami League-led government.

As with the 1-point demand from 2024, the 24-point manifesto declared today was read out by Nahid Islam, one of the six central coordinators of the SAD movement last year who has since gone on to become the convenor of the NCP, which was launched in March, after serving a stint on the advisory council to the interim government.  

Some of the key points of the manifesto include writing a new constitution for ‘New Bangladesh’, legal recognition of the July Uprising and justice for the victims of the state’s crackdown against it, extensive reforms in state institutions alongside democratization, judicial reforms, people-friendly law enforcement, and a service-oriented state that is free from corruption. 

Earlier, party leaders also demanded constitutional recognition of what would be its ‘July Declaration’, while also publicly apologizing for failing to ensure justice for abductions, killings, and sexual violence even one year after the massive student-led uprising.

The rally was held on the first anniversary of the student leaders’ embrace and announcement of the one-point demand, following which the government failed to survive even 48 hours.  They also called for formal constitutional recognition of the “July Declaration.” Leaders from different regions of the country emphasized the need for fundamental reforms, judicial independence, a people-oriented administration, and an end to the politicization of state institutions.

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain stated, “The July Declaration must be granted constitutional status.”

He added, “To ensure the implementation of the July Charter and Declaration, the people of Bangladesh must stay vigilant as guardians of the nation.”

Akhtar Hossain stressed the urgency of saving Bangladesh’s institutions from partisan influence. “We will not allow the judiciary to fall under the control of any political party. Policies made in the Secretariat must serve the public interest and be transparently presented to the people.”

He further said that political parties united under the National Consensus Commission to bring about fundamental reforms. “We joined the commission with high hopes, and some expectations have been met. Now, every promise made must be implemented in Bangladesh.”

NCP’s Southern Region Chief Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah warned that any threats or intimidation against NCP activists will now be met with political resistance.

“We’ve passed one year since the July revolution. So far, we’ve only talked—now it’s time for action,” said Hasnat Abdullah. “Our convener and member secretary will give us direction, and we will implement it, even if it means sacrificing our lives.”

Md Sarjis Alam, Chief Coordinator for the Northern Region, declared that the 1972 Constitution was tailored for one party and was passed from another country. “We cannot allow this Mujibist (Mujibbaad) constitution to continue in Bangladesh. From this very stage, we call for its dismantling and demand a new constitution.”

He added, “Even after 54 years, the people of this country have not received their rights. One year ago today, we came to this Shaheed Minar and called for the fall of Hasina. A year has passed, and our rights remain unmet. We will no longer accept words of despair.”

Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr. Tasnim Jara stated, “We aim to build a healthcare system where no one is denied treatment due to lack of money. Healthcare should not be a luxury for anyone.”

Marking one year since the uprising, NCP’s Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud publicly apologized to the people for the party’s failure to ensure justice to the victims of the state’s violent crackdown on the protests.

“At this Shaheed Minar, exactly one year ago, we declared that the people of this country would no longer tolerate fascist rule for even a moment,” he said. 

“We said that from this very place would begin the rebirth of democracy, humanity, justice, and morality. But today, standing here one year later, we must admit—we have failed to keep our promises. We bow our heads before the people and ask for their forgiveness.”