What does the National Citizens Party mean by 'Second Republic'?

Understanding the National Citizens Party's Concept of 'Second Republic'

The National Citizens Party (NCP), a political entity formed by young leaders of the July mass uprising, has announced its objective of establishing a 'Second Republic' in the country. This statement was made by the party's convener, Md. Nahid Islam, during the launch ceremony on Friday. However, the exact interpretation of the term 'Second Republic' remains unclear to many.

Historical Context of the 'Second Republic'

The concept of a 'Second Republic' has historical significance, particularly in France, and has been associated with several other nations, including Poland and Costa Rica. It is a political term used in different contexts, generally referring to a fundamental change in governance through the restructuring of a country’s political system. Such transformations often occur through revolutions or coups.

For example, France was initially under monarchical rule before the French Revolution (1789–1799), which led to the fall of the monarchy and the declaration of the First Republic in 1792. The First Republic lasted until 1804, after which the monarchy was reinstated. Later, in 1848, the Second Republic was established, lasting until 1852. Although brief, this period is considered a pivotal chapter in French history. France has since undergone multiple republics, with the Fifth Republic currently in place.

The 'Second Republic' in the Context of Bangladesh

In an effort to understand the NCP’s vision, senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adeeb explained that their version of the 'Second Republic' aims to unify past struggles of the people and reconstruct the constitution based on their aspirations.

Ariful Islam elaborated that the First Republic was achieved through the liberation war, leading to the formation of a constitution. However, he argued that structural flaws within the constitution led to the rise of authoritarian governance. He claimed that in the past 15 years, fascism had taken root, leading to significant struggles, including the loss of approximately 2,000 lives in efforts to combat this system. To prevent any party from becoming autocratic in the future, Ariful Islam emphasized the need for a radical constitutional overhaul.

According to Ariful Islam, state institutions must be made independent and robust to ensure citizen empowerment and safeguard democratic values. He asserted that this requires a significant constitutional transformation, which the NCP refers to as the 'Second Republic.'

For the past six months, the party has been advocating for this idea, calling it either the 'Second Republic' or the 'July Declaration.' The concept aligns with historical precedents in other nations, such as France and Korea, which have experienced multiple republics.

When asked about specific proposals for the 'Second Republic,' Ariful Islam stated that while the party initially sought to repeal the existing constitution, consensus on this issue was not reached. However, he affirmed that if the 'Second Republic' were to be established, substantial constitutional reforms could be enacted, including rewriting or restructuring key aspects of the governance framework.

The Evolution of the 'Second Republic' Discourse

The idea of a 'Second Republic' was first introduced on October 22 of the previous year by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens' Committee following the July Revolution. During a mass gathering at the Central Shaheed Minar, demands included banning the Chhatra League and the resignation of the President, alongside the call for a new proclamation to establish a post-2024 Bangladesh guided by the ideals of the July Revolution.

Subsequently, discussions were held with various political entities regarding the proposed changes. However, the lack of direct support from political parties caused the idea to fade from mainstream political discourse. Despite this, individual leaders from the July movement continued to advocate for it.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement initially planned to release a declaration on December 31, with support from the National Citizens' Committee. On December 29, Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the movement, stated in a press conference that the 'July Revolution Declaration' aimed to dismantle what they termed the 'Mujibist Constitution of 1972.' When questioned about the mention of a 'Second Republic' in the declaration, Hasnat Abdullah responded that it was a legal matter not being addressed at that stage.

Following resistance from political parties, including the BNP, the government took steps to address the concerns. On December 30, the Chief Advisor's Press Secretary announced that an interim government was working on drafting a declaration reflecting the national consensus on the July uprising. Further meetings and consultations with political stakeholders took place to finalize the declaration.

Now, at the official launch of the NCP, Nahid Islam has made it clear that the party’s primary objective is to prevent future constitutional dictatorship by formulating a new democratic constitution. The proposed 'Second Republic' would be established through the election of a Constituent Assembly, ensuring that the governance system is reshaped in alignment with democratic principles and the aspirations of the people.