Different political parties on Wednesday condemned the violent attack on the National Citizen Party’s ‘March to Gopalganj’ programme marking the first anniversary of the July uprising.
In separate statements, the parties termed the attack part of a broader attempt to destabilise the country, undermine the interim government and derail democratic transition.
They warned of a deteriorating law and order situation and urged all citizens to unite in defence of democracy and national sovereignty.
The parties demanded an immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible, while also expressing concern over the apparent failure of police to prevent the violence.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in a statement expressed grave concern over the attack on the NCP’s scheduled political march in Gopalganj.
He blamed ‘miscreants’ of Awami League for the incident and claimed that the objective of the ‘miscreants’ was to destabilise the country during a transitional period.
Fakhrul observed that political miscreants appeared to be resurfacing with the intent of disrupting public order and undermining the authority of the interim administration.
‘There is no alternative but to suppress these miscreants with a strong hand,’ he said, adding that establishing democracy and ensuring the people’s right to vote could only be achieved through collective resistance against fascist elements.
He urged political parties across the spectrum and citizens of all classes to unite in defence of the country’s independence and sovereignty.
Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Mia Golam Parwar in a statement condemned the attack, saying that it was an indication that the country remained under the shadow of fascism despite the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024.
He urged the authorities to arrest the accomplices of the fallen fascist regime and ensure that they were brought to justice.
The 12-Party Alliance also expressed deep concern over the incident, describing it as a continuation of the disruptive tactics previously employed by the banned Chhatra League, the student wing of the AL.
They viewed the attack as a clear failure on the part of law enforcement agencies and cautioned that without swift action to subdue and punish the miscreants, the country risked slipping back into a state of repression.
Leaders of the Ganatantra Mancha issued a statement condemning the attack on NCP leaders in Gopalganj by members of the Awami League and the banned Chhatra League.
In a joint statement, Nagorik Oikyya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh general secretary Saiful Haque, Ganatantra Mancha coordinator and Bhasani Janashakti Party chairman Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, Ganosamhati Andolon chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, Rashtro Shongskar Andolon coordinator Hasnat Kaiyum and Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal general secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan strongly condemned and protested at the violent assault on the NCP’s peaceful programme.
They called for an immediate identification of the attackers and sought prompt arrest of the miscreants responsible for the incident.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh amir Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim denounced the attack as unacceptable, especially on the anniversary of the July uprising.
He claimed that the incident reflected the state’s overall failure to dismantle the remnants of dictatorship and ensure a secure political environment for dissenting voices.
Amar Bangladesh Party chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju and general secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad issued a statement condemning the attack, describing the perpetrators as Awami League–baned Chhatra League elements.
They remarked that the bloodshed from recent political turmoil had not yet faded and cautioned that continued violence could seriously undermine public confidence in state institutions.
They also questioned the conduct of the police, suggesting either negligence or possible complicity in the incident.
Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh in a statement condemned and protested at the attack on the NCP’s programme in Gopalganj.
He described the incident as a deliberate act of political terrorism.
He called for the immediate identification and arrest of the attackers and urged the authorities to review video footage to apprehend those responsible.
