NCP refrains from Shahbag protest over Hadi’s murder, vows non-violent movement

The National Citizen Party (NCP) today (19 December) refrained from its planned sit-in programme at Shahbagh, citing fears of violence and sabotage following recent incidents after the death of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

The programme was later held in front of the party office at Banglamotor in the evening, where NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari administered an oath to activists to continue a non-violent movement and peaceful programmes across the country.

Party activists pledged to pursue protests peacefully.

Addressing them, Patwari said, "We swear that we will continue the non-violent movement and the fight against Indian hegemony. Everyone will protest peacefully and democratically across Bangladesh. If any group incites violence or engages in arson in the name of the NCP, people should catch them and hand them over to the police."

Meanwhile, NCP Joint Convener Tajnuva Jabeen, in a post on her verified Facebook account this afternoon, called for greater unity among pro-democracy forces and highlighted the role of the BNP and its Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

She wrote that the country should not remain under the interim government, "rather the pro-democracy people should take the government under [their] control, and by doing so," ensure the next national election in February.

"Tarique Rahman's arrival must be ensured at the scheduled time," she said.

She also wrote that every pro-democracy political party, including the BNP, must become a stronger voice, and that the election must be ensured in February 2026.

Calling on citizens to take responsibility, she urged everyone to vote and said this could not be achieved by the government or administration alone.

Referring to the July movement, she wrote that people had united to defeat what she described as fascism and called on them to come together again, saying, "Choose your leader again. Replace your leader again. Please don't give up on Bangladesh."

Earlier, NCP Convener Nahid Islam had announced a sit-in at Shahbagh after today's Jummah prayers. However, in the afternoon, he said the programme had been postponed due to fears of sabotage.

"The anti-July forces have plans to carry out vandalism and sabotage similar to today. We are against any kind of violence and sabotage." 

Nahid said, urging people to prevent any group from exploiting public anger for arson or subversive activities.

He added, "Considering the overall situation, our sit-in programme at Shahbagh after Jummah in Dhaka has been postponed. Instead, a protest procession will be organised from Banglamotor at 4pm. I request everyone to participate."

NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossain directed grassroots leaders and activists to organise local protests with five demands.

These include the arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, the repatriation from India of those accused of the July killings and their trial with exemplary punishment, the arrest of Awami League activists accused of violence and a ban on their participation in elections, protests against attacks on the media, and the resignation of the home affairs adviser for what the party described as failure.

"The protests will continue, but no one must get involved in any chaos," Akhter said. "Reckless groups are planning to infiltrate the movement and commit sabotage. Leaders and activists at all levels must remain on maximum alert. Protest speeches will be held, but nothing should put the independence and sovereignty of the country at risk."

At the Banglamotor programme, Nasiruddin Patwari also warned India, saying, "Until Hasina is returned, a revolutionary environment will persist in this country. If India remains stubborn, the people of Bangladesh will not accept it. They will give their lives but will not compromise their dignity."

He further said, "If anyone wants to play politics with Hadi's janaza, we must resist it. Many may try to take the opportunity to commit sabotage at the janaza."

Meanwhile, the political alliance Gonotantrik Sangskar Jote, of which NCP is a part, in a statement, condemned what it described as the failure of the administration, intelligence and law enforcement agencies over the killing of Osman Hadi and the overall security situation.

It demanded immediate punishment of those responsible and effective measures to improve security.

In a joint statement, alliance leaders Nahid Islam, Hasnat Qayyum  and Mujibur Rahman Manju said that the "killer terrorists of the defeated and fugitive Hasina, Indian expansionists and their accomplices hiding within the country want to create extreme anarchy."

They also alleged that the aforementioned want to create a civil war situation, derail the upcoming national election and the Constitution Reform Commission, and pave the way for an undemocratic third force.

They further noted that, at such provocation, attacks were carried out on newspaper offices, educational institutions and residences of diplomats, and that journalist Nurul Kabir was harassed.

The leaders called for those responsible to be identified and brought to trial quickly.

They also urged all pro-July forces to remain vigilant so that the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi is not used for what they described as anti-state activities.