No scope to rehabilitate AL in the name of the Liberation War: Nahid Islam

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a member of parliament, on Saturday alleged that efforts are underway to rehabilitate the Awami League by invoking the Bangladesh Liberation War and the historic 7 March Speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, warning that such attempts would not be accepted.

Speaking at an iftar programme organised by the NCP in Faridpur, Nahid said, “Efforts have started to rehabilitate the Awami League in the name of the Liberation War and the historic 7 March speech. The Liberation War is a matter of our pride, but the Awami League has undermined that pride.”

Nahid further alleged that the Awami League had justified various crimes—including enforced disappearances, killings and money laundering—by invoking the Liberation War. “The Awami League cannot be rehabilitated in the name of the Liberation War, the 7 March speech or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” he said.

The NCP leader also accused the government of betraying the aspirations linked to the “July Charter,” claiming that two pledges had been made regarding its implementation. “The ruling party took one of those pledges but was the first to betray the aspirations of July and the July Charter,” he added.

Expressing readiness to work constructively with the government, Nahid said the authorities must take an oath under the reform council before the parliamentary session scheduled for the 12th.

He also demanded the removal of what he described as a “fascist president” in the first parliamentary session, warning that otherwise an 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami would be forced to take to the streets.

Nahid further alleged that the government had already begun politicising key state institutions. “During the tenure of Sheikh Hasina, we saw how institutions such as the judiciary, administration and police were politicised. The current government has not even completed a month in office, yet we are already witnessing similar tendencies,” he said.

Among others present at the iftar programme were Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the NCP’s northern region; Nizam Uddin, joint member secretary and Faridpur divisional organising secretary; Tariqul Islam, convener of Jatiya Juboshakti; and Zahid Ahsan, convener of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, along with central and divisional leaders of the NCP.