Hasnat calls Cox’s trip a silent protest against incomplete July Declaration; Nasiruddin says he went to reflect on mass uprising
Nasiruddin Patwari stated, "Sitting on the beach, I wanted to think deeply about the mass uprising, the citizens' committee, the structure of NCP, the future Constituent Assembly, and the outline of a new democratic constitution"
The trip to Cox's Bazar on 5 August was a silent protest against an "incomplete" July Declaration, NCP Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah said in response to the show-cause notice served by his party.
In his written reply sent to the party convener and member secretary today (7 August), Hasnat said, "On the evening of 4 August, I came to know that many of the injured and key leaders of July Uprising had been entirely excluded from the July Declaration event. To me, this was not only a political misstep but also a moral failure. As a result, I made a personal decision to not participate at the event.
"I saw no reason to attend a gathering where division was prioritised over unity, and where the voices of a select few were elevated above those of the martyrs and the wounded."
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In a separate explanation, National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari stated, "Sitting on the beach, I wanted to think deeply about the mass uprising, the citizens' committee, the structure of NCP, the future Constituent Assembly, and the outline of a new democratic constitution.
"I do not see this as a wrongdoing, but rather as a responsible and reflective exercise expected of a political activist."
Own party responded with a tone that seemed to validate false allegations: Hasnat says
In Hasnat's statement, he said, "The following day, I chose to leave Dhaka. My intention was to reflect on the decisions made during this critical period, to better understand the unfolding events, and to think deeply about the path forward. This trip also served as a silent protest against an incomplete July Declaration."
But what followed was deeply disheartening, said Hasnat.
"The state intelligence agency photographed and recorded our every movement from the airport, later handing the footage to select media outlets. These outlets, in turn, manipulated the material—adding dramatic music and false narratives—to portray us in a criminal light," Hasnat said in reply to the show-cause notice.
He also alleged that a coordinated effort between some intelligence officials and media houses aimed to depict their actions as suspicious and subversive.
"Most distressing of all was the misogynistic, vulgar campaign against Tasnim Jara. She was subjected to slut-shaming and character assassination simply because she is a woman. Some media outlets deliberately ran misleading and offensive headlines targeting her, in a calculated attempt to humiliate and discourage women from entering politics," Hasnat wrote.
He went on to say, "This is not only condemnable, it is a direct attack on women's political participation."
The NCP leader further said, "What's most painful is that, instead of standing against these abuses, our own party responded with a tone that seemed to validate the false allegations and feed conspiracy narratives. I believe the party should have taken a firm stand against the misconduct of the intelligence agencies and the unethical behavior of these media outlets."
'Sitting on the beach, I wanted to think deeply about mass uprising, NCP': Nasiruddin
Nasiruddin Patwari also mentioned that after reaching in Cox's Bazar, a rumour suddenly circulated that they went there to meet former US Ambassador Peter Haas.
"I promptly informed the media that this claim was entirely false and part of a deliberate smear campaign. The hotel authorities confirmed that no one by the name of Peter Haas was present, and it was later verified through various sources that he was in Washington at the time," Nasir said.
He noted that this rumour appears to be a calculated attempt to damage their reputation.
"Given the context, I believe the show-cause notice is based on incorrect assumptions. My trip was transparent, did not breach any organisational guidelines, and was simply a personal retreat for thoughtful reflection," he said.
Nasir also stated that on the night of 4 August, he met with the party convener at NCP's office and informed him of the situation.
"That same evening, I also spoke with the member secretary over phone who told me that three representatives from the party would be attending the state event, and that I had no assigned role there."
He noted, "Since I had no responsibilities related to the event, I decided to take a personal trip for rest and mental clarity."
"In response to the show-cause notices, the concerned leaders have submitted their explanations to the convener and member secretary within the stipulated time," said Saleh Uddin Sifat, joint member secretary (office) of NCP.
He said a decision regarding the matter will be made by the convener and member secretary in due course.
Yesterday (6 August), the National Citizen Party (NCP) served show-cause notices on the party's five top leaders over their trips to Cox's Bazar, avoiding the July mass uprising anniversary programmes in the capital.
They have been asked to submit a written explanation regarding the Cox's Bazar tour to NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain by appearing physically within 24 hours.
Those who have been served notices are— the NCP's Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam, Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah, Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara, and her husband Khaled Saifullah, who is also a joint convener of the party.
