Desk Report,
What is in the 24-point manifesto of the NCP’s ‘Second Republic’
National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has announced a 24-point manifesto, including the formulation of a new constitution to establish a ‘second republic’, recognition and trial of the July coup, and reforms in democracy and state institutions.
What is in the 24-point manifesto of the NCP’s ‘Second Republic’
He announced the manifesto from an NCP rally at the Central Shaheed Minar on Sunday afternoon. The rally was scheduled to start at 4 pm, but it started an hour later.
The rally, moderated by NCP senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib, was attended by party member secretary Akhtar Hossain, northern region chief organizer Sarjis Alam, southern region chief organizer Hasnat Abdullah and other central leaders of the party. In addition, leaders and activists from different parts of the country participated in the rally. Family members of the martyrs of the July coup and injured people were also present at the rally.
Before announcing the manifesto, paying tribute to the martyrs and injured in the July mass uprising, Nahid Islam said, “Last year, on this day, from this Shaheed Minar, we announced that historic one point to abolish the fascist system. The historic one point was not announced by any individual, party or organization. The one point was announced by the people of Bangladesh, by the students and the uprising masses of Bangladesh. The real announcers of the one point are the people of Bangladesh, the students and the uprising masses of Bangladesh and the martyred brothers and sisters.”
In the written statement of the manifesto, Nahid Islam said, “The huge mass explosion of students, workers and the masses in July 2024 was a public vote for change against this long-accumulated misrule. We must remember that this new freedom of ours, achieved at the cost of the blood of thousands of martyrs, did not happen only for the change of government. We wanted to change the system through which fascism was established.’
In his speech, highlighting the NCP’s position in favor of reform, Nahid Islam said, ‘In the past year, despite the opposition of various powerful parties in the fundamental and structural reforms of the state, the NCP has taken a strong stand on your behalf for fundamental reforms. We believe that without the full implementation of these fundamental reforms, our mass uprising of ’24 will not be transformed into a democratic revolution by breaking the fascist structure.’
Nahid Islam said, ‘On the anniversary of the fall of fascism this July, we, from Teknaf to Tentulia, from Jaflong to the Sundarbans, all students, workers, and people of Bangladesh; young, old, and women; from tea stalls to doctors, engineers, and tea workers, have been soaked in the love of all of you. In every corner of Bangladesh, we have heard the hopes of our martyred families and injured brothers and sisters. I have heard about your daily struggles, aspirations and dreams.’
Nahid Islam, while announcing the manifesto, said, ‘NCP was born, all our labor is to build the new Bangladesh of your dreams. Your complaints, allegations, expectations have deepened our thoughts, enriched our goals. Therefore, after exactly one year, standing before you at Shaheed Minar, I am announcing the 24-point manifesto of a new Bangladesh, our second republic.’
Then Nahid Islam announced the 24-point manifesto of NCP titled ‘Manifesto of New Bangladesh’. Here is a detailed explanation of what has been said in the 24 points –
1. New Constitution and Second Republic
Based on the people’s aspirations for equality, human dignity and social justice in the anti-colonial struggle, freedom struggle and July mass uprising, we will create a new Bangladesh of many languages, cultures and nations. In the new journey of our state, shaking off the old, our first commitment is a new constitution through the Constituent Assembly. In fulfilling the aspirations of July, we will form a non-discriminatory, democratic, inclusive and public welfare-oriented Second Republic by abolishing dictatorship, dynasticism and fascist structures with this new constitution. Our new state will protect the life, livelihood, dignity and rights of the individual. This new constitution will ensure a specific division and balance of power between the legislative, judicial and executive branches of our state. We will ensure the constitutional recognition of the July Declaration and the July Charter.
2. Recognition and trial of the July Uprising
The anti-colonial struggle of the people of this township, the struggle to establish the desired equality, human dignity and social justice of the great liberation war of 1971 and the determination to form a non-discriminatory Bangladesh in the July Uprising are our motivation. We will ensure exemplary trial and punishment for all crimes against humanity committed during the Awami fascism, including the July massacre, Shapla massacre, BDR massacre, disappearances and extrajudicial killings. We will stand by the martyrs of the July Uprising for life, ensuring full state recognition, proper treatment and rehabilitation of the injured. We will preserve the memory of July to capture the national unity of July and the greatness of the sacrifice of thousands of martyrs and will always stand by our fellow fighters in the anti-fascist struggle.
