National Citizen Party and the Question of Political Rights After the July Uprising
National Citizen Party has taken a firm yet cautious position on the future of civic and political rights in Bangladesh, especially concerning ordinary supporters of the Awami League who were not directly involved in violence during the July Uprising. Speaking at a public political dialogue in Dhaka, party convener Nahid Islam made it clear that ignoring this unresolved issue would only allow the crisis to return in another form..jpg)
Rather than pushing collective punishment, the National Citizen Party emphasized the need for a structured political resolution. Nahid Islam stated that while supporting an authoritarian or fascist political force may carry moral responsibility, the long-term stability of the country depends on separating violent accountability from ordinary political affiliation. According to him, restoring rights should not be automatic but conditional, tied to public acknowledgment and forgiveness.
The core message from the National Citizen Party was simple: unresolved political exclusion creates instability. If the problem is buried instead of addressed, it will reappear during future elections and power transitions. The party framed reconciliation not as weakness, but as a political necessity.
National Citizen Party Pushes Reconciliation Alongside Institutional Accountability
The National Citizen Party proposed the formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine the status of ordinary party supporters. This mechanism, according to Nahid Islam, would allow the state to distinguish between those who actively participated in violence and those who were merely part of a political structure. The aim is not to erase wrongdoing but to prevent endless political revenge cycles.
At the same time, the National Citizen Party did not soften its stance on state institutions accused of abuse. Nahid openly called for the immediate dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion, arguing that accountability cannot exist while controversial forces continue to operate without structural reform. He also raised concerns about oversight within intelligence and security bodies, stating that democratic recovery requires transparency across institutions.
This dual approach reveals the party’s broader political strategy. Reconciliation without justice would lack credibility, while punishment without resolution would deepen divisions. The National Citizen Party appears to be positioning itself between these extremes, offering a framework that addresses both responsibility and reintegration.
National Citizen Party Views the Election as More Than a Vote
The National Citizen Party also reframed the upcoming national election as something larger than a routine political contest. According to Nahid Islam, the election should be understood as a continuation of the July Uprising itself. In this view, voting is not just about choosing leaders but about confirming whether the public still stands by the demands and sacrifices of that movement.
He acknowledged that compromises were made in parts of the proposed political charter due to ground realities. However, he stressed that the core principles of the July Charter must remain untouched. Any deviation, he warned, would weaken public trust and reduce the uprising to a symbolic event rather than a meaningful political shift.
View this post on Instagram
The National Citizen Party further criticized other political groups for attempting to absorb the displaced vote base of the former ruling party without offering real solutions. According to Nahid, competing for votes without addressing the root political crisis only postpones instability rather than resolving it. Also Read: Bangladesh summon envoys as diplomatic tension grows between Delhi and Dhaka
Conclusion
The National Citizen Party is attempting to redefine post-uprising politics by combining reconciliation, accountability, and electoral responsibility. Its position reflects a calculated effort to prevent political repetition while keeping democratic principles intact. Whether this approach gains public confidence will depend on how clearly these ideas translate into action in the coming months.
