Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said that the July uprising was not about replacing one political party with another.
“We took to the streets to complete the unfinished tasks of the 2024 uprising and to dismantle the fascist structures, paving the way for a new, democratic, and egalitarian Bangladesh,” he said at a gathering held at Dinajpur Institute ground as part of the “July Padyatra” campaign on Friday evening.
He emphasized the importance of incorporating the July proclamation into the constitution so that the sacrifices of those who participated—be they injured or martyred—are duly acknowledged and their political security guaranteed.
“There are deliberate delays and excuses surrounding the July proclamation and the July charter. It is being claimed that the July proclamation will have no constitutional basis. But the proclamation must be incorporated into the constitution,” Nahid asserted.
Reflecting on the movement’s first year, he remarked: “We had many hopes for transformative change. The people, including the youth of Dinajpur who endured violence during the protests, envisioned a non-discriminatory, democratic Bangladesh.”
He added: Unfortunately, that dream has not yet been fully realized.” He further warned against efforts to preserve the old fascist regime’s remnants and corrupt networks.
"The people of Bangladesh, especially students and youth, took to the streets demanding a new structure, a new state, and a new nation. In support of our demands, a mass gathering will be held at the Central Shaheed Minar on August 3, Nahid said.
He added: “There, as in 2024, we will present our demands through a large public mobilization—and, InshaAllah, we will achieve success just as we did in the 2024 movement."
Earlier, Nahid and other NCP central leaders met with the families of the injured and martyred fighters to offer their support, reinforcing their determination to eliminate economic and regional disparities across Bangladesh.
