NCP leaders warn against ignoring public mandate on Independence Day
Marking Independence Day, they paid tribute to martyrs and Birangonas, urging for a Bangladesh built on equality and human dignity.
Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP), including Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain today (26 March) said many of the aspirations of Bangladesh's independence remain unfulfilled, while accusing the government of attempting to undermine the people's mandate reflected in the recent referendum.
Speaking at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar after paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War, Nahid Islam, convener of the NCP and opposition chief whip, said repeated sacrifices have been necessary due to the failure to realise the goals of independence.
"Many of the aspirations of our independence have not been fulfilled. That is why our new generation had to shed blood and sacrifice their lives again. We want to ensure that such sacrifices are not needed in the future," he said.
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Marking Independence Day, Nahid paid tribute to martyrs and Birangonas, urging for a Bangladesh built on equality and human dignity reflecting both the spirit of 1971 and the aspirations of the 2024 mass uprising.
"We want to build a Bangladesh based on equality and human dignity, in line with the aspirations of 1971 and 2024. That is what we are working towards," he said.
Meanwhile, NCP Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain alleged that the current government is moving forward by disregarding the people's verdict.
"The government is trying to advance by ignoring the referendum result and the people's mandate," he told reporters at the same venue.
He said the party remains committed to ensuring justice for all murders during the July Uprising, stressing that due process must be followed.
"Our leadership remains committed to justice and ensuring accountability in every case," he said, warning that governments that defy the people's mandate, as seen from the 1970 election to the 1990 movement, are ultimately rejected by history.
He alleged that the July Charter, the referendum verdict, and broader public mandate are being challenged.
"This time too, the people's verdict, the referendum outcome, and the July Charter are being undermined as the government moves forward," he said.
Warning of public backlash, he said, "If the mandate is not implemented, the people, including the 70% who voted 'yes' in the referendum, will not hesitate to take to the streets again."
Both leaders urged the government and political actors to respect the people's mandate and work towards a democratic Bangladesh in line with the spirit of independence.
