No elections without justice and reform: Nahid Islam

Justice must come first, followed by reform, and only then elections, said Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), as he renewed demands for prosecution of those responsible for the deadly crackdown during the July uprising last year.

"Justice must be visible. It must begin now. Those who fired on people, who committed genocide, they must be brought to trial. On the soil of Bengal, Sheikh Hasina and the policemen who opened fire must be held accountable," he said during a discussion with families of victims at Bogura's Parjatan Motel around 11am today (5 July). 

"No future government should be able to tamper with the process of justice," he said. 

"The state must ensure political, social, and economic protection for the families of the martyrs and the injured," he added. 

The NCP leader also stated that their July Declaration would officially honour the martyrs' sacrifice and detail the party's reform commitments.

"There will be a place for the contributions of the martyrs in the July Declaration. The July Charter will enshrine the reform agenda," said Nahid.

Addressing the families of the martyrs of the July uprising, Nahid Islam said, "We know that no compensation in the world can ever make up for the loss your families have suffered. Your loved ones gave their lives for the country, for freedom, for the people."

"Pharaohs never last forever. Dictators always fall, eventually. This time, too, a pharaoh has fallen. Now, we must build the kind of country the martyrs envisioned - a free nation without tyranny. That will require more struggle," he added. 

"We want to stand by your side. Over the past year, many things have unfolded in this country. Perhaps we have failed in fulfilling our responsibilities to you properly. We should have reached out to you sooner. For that, I apologise. But I give you my word - our bond with you is for life. We will do everything in our capacity to support you," he said. 

"July is our political manifesto and our political destination. The future of Bangladesh will be shaped by the path of July," said Nahid during a street rally in Bogura. 

The event was part of NCP's fifth-day march under the "Build the Nation" campaign, commemorating the July-August uprising. The rally was held at the Muktomancha in Satmatha, Bogura.

Addressing the crowd, Nahid said, "Bogura is a historically significant region. The ancient Pundranagar civilisation began here. Despite Bogura being declared a city corporation, citizens are still deprived of basic civic facilities. We demand that all citizen rights be ensured."

Referring to the aftermath of the 2024 uprising, he said, "We have consistently called for the administration, police, and judiciary to remain neutral. If anyone continues behaving like partisan administrators of the past, their fate will mirror that of the fascist Mujibists."

He further warned, "Those who were deputy commissioners in 2018 and were involved in vote rigging, those who served in the Election Commission during that election - what happened to them? Every day is not the same; everyone has their day. If, within a year of this people's uprising, you forget the power of the students and the public, you're making a grave mistake."

The NCP leader made it clear that no partisan administrator or police officer would be spared. 

"The administration, police, and judiciary in Bogura must act with neutrality. They cannot serve any party's interests," he asserted.

He said that the movement demands a new Bangladesh. 

"We've said since the uprising that a new system, new laws, and a new political culture are necessary. We will not take part in your old games of extortion and politics of terror." 

"We haven't come to be new players in your old game. We've come to change the rules of the game - to change the rules of politics. The youth and good people must come forward to take charge of the nation, and of Bogura," Nahid said.

Accusing authorities of delaying the announcement of the July Proclamation, he said, "Here in Bogura, I want to state clearly - the July Proclamation must be incorporated into the national constitution. On 3 August, at the Shaheed Minar, the dawn of a new Bangladesh will begin with the July Declaration."

He also said, "Those who refuse to enshrine the July-August uprising and its martyrs in the constitution are nothing but guardians of Mujibism."

Calling for proper medical care for the wounded and families of those killed in the uprising, Nahid concluded, "July is our political manifesto, our political destination. The future Bangladesh will be built along the path of July."

Senior NCP leaders, including Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Chief Organisers Sarjis Alam (North) and Hasnat Abdullah (South), Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, and Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Zara, were present at the rally.

Earlier in the day, the march began from the city's Colony area around 11:45am.