For those persecuted over the past 15-16 years, this is definitely independence: Nahid

Those who compromised with the previous regime and pursued 'opposition politics' do not care about the first or second independence but the freedom of looting, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam said today (27 March).

"For those whose bank balances were intact, who have compromised and pursued opposition politics, this [July Uprising] may not seem like freedom. Because they have always been free, even in previous regimes. For them, neither the first nor the second independence is important. For them, the freedom to loot is important," the NCP chief said.

"For those who were oppressed and persecuted for the past 15-16 years, this is definitely independence. On 5 August, we became newly independent," he said while addressing an event demanding the release of the list of those killed in the anti-Modi movement in 2021, their state recognition and justice at Bangla Motor in the capital on Thursday (March 27).

In 2021, at least 17 people were reportedly killed across the country during protests against Indian aggression during a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh, marking the celebration of the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh

Nahid's comment on the 'first and second independence' comes following heated exchanges of political statements by BNP, NCP and Jamaat leaders regarding whether to call the July uprising a 'second independence' or not yesterday.

Yesterday, the NCP chief said, "We believe that 1971 and 2024 are not separate events. Rather, the mass uprising of 2024 has revived the spirit of 1971."

He had made the comment in response to a remark by BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, where the latter had said that there is no such thing as second independence and suggested everyone not to make any such claims. 

On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said Bangladesh did not achieve true independence in 1971, but rather the mass uprising of 2024 brought the "second liberation" for the country.

Speaking at today's event, Nahid said, "Through the July Uprising, an independent and sovereign foreign policy has been created in Bangladesh, where national interests will prevail."

"The previous Awami League government protected India's interests. The party was in power with the help of the country. Sheikh Hasina's job was to make a knee-jerk foreign policy to please them," he said.

"Since the country [India] is a neighbor, we have economic and cultural relations with them. However, relations with them will be based on equality and fairness," added Nahid.

He noted that there has been no settlement to the border killings even today.

"We have not received our fair share of water. The country must be made to understand what the people of Bangladesh deserve," he said.

The NCP leader alleged that the Awami League is involved in the Pilkhana massacre, the anti-Modi protest killings and the July uprising killings.

"All these must be tried. Because if the trial is not held now, it is not possible to say whether it will be done later," he said.

Regarding minorities, he said, "I strongly condemn the persecution of minorities in India. That country's media have been spreading rumors since 5 August. There are political motives behind all this."