NCP stages first major rally in Rangamati
Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said today that the party envisions an inclusive, democratic Bangladesh, one in which all communities can live together with dignity as equal citizens.
"We want a Bangladesh where people from all communities live with equal respect. Over the past 50 years, Bangladesh has been subjected to divisions, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) have been the worst victim of that. These divisions and tensions in the hills have long been used by external forces for their own gain," he said.
"We will not allow any third party to benefit from our internal issues. If we have disagreements among ourselves or within our communities, we will resolve them through dialogue. But we will not allow others to take advantage of our situation. We must all unite," Nahid added.
He was speaking this afternoon at the NCP's "July March to Build the Nation" rally held at Banarupa, Rangamati.
The rally was presided over by Bipin Jyoti Chakma, the party's chief coordinator in Rangamati. Key speakers included NCP Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah; Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam; Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin; and Senior Member-Secretary Tasnim Jara.
Nahid further said, "We have long opposed the 1972 Constitution of Bangladesh – especially the Mujibist version of it, which failed to include all ethnic communities. It has created rifts under the banner of Bangali nationalism, excluding non-Bangali groups."
"Even in the name of secularism, it fostered divisions between Islam and other religions. We want a new constitution that rises above such divisions and includes all communities. Your leader from Rangamati, MN Larma (Manabendra Narayan Larma), opposed that very constitution in 1972. Like him, we demand the abolition of the Mujibist constitution and call for a new democratic charter, one that we build together, where both your rights and mine are protected," he added.
Nahid noted that the peoples of the hills, including the Chakma, Marma, Tanchangya, and Bawm, have long been fighting for their rights to language, religion, and ancestral land. At the same time, many Bengali communities in the hill tracts also remain deprived of essential opportunities.
"All communities here are suffering and are denied their rights. This struggle must be collective. No one can be forced into silence. We are here to speak of unity, harmony, and empathy," he added.
Earlier in the day, the July march began around 1:15pm from the Shilpakala Academy area and paraded through the main streets of Rangamati before concluding at Banarupa with the rally.
This marks the first large-scale rally by the NCP in Rangamati as part of their ongoing July mobilisation programme.
