The National Citizen Party on Sunday said that divisions were created among people in Bangladesh in the name of Bengali nationalism and secularism.
NCP convener Nahid Islam made the remarks at a rally in Rangamati as part of the party’s ongoing programme marking the first anniversary of the July uprising.
Nahid termed the 1972 constitution a Mujib-made constitution and stated that the constitution failed to include all communities living in the country.
‘A conflict between Bengali-speaking people and non-Bengali communities has been created in the country in the name of Bengali nationalism. A division has been created between the followers of Islam and those of other religions here in the name of secularism. We want to create a constitution to ensure dignity for all communities, going beyond all the divisions,’ said Nahid.
Addressing the rally in the district town’s Banorupa CNG Stand area, Nahid said that a third party wanted to maintain the divisions and conflicts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts for their own interest.
On the 20th day of the party’s countrywide march, Nahid stressed the need for the unity of people of different communities to solve any issue by themselves so that no third party could take advantage of the divisions.
The NCP began its national-level march on July 1 from Rangpur by offering prayers for uprising martyr Abu Sayed as part of its July 1- August 5 countrywide programme to mark the first anniversary of the uprising.
A group of student and youth leaders who led the uprising formed the NCP on February 28.
Addressing the Rangamati rally, the NCP chief organiser for north, Sarjis Alam offered an apology for his controversial remarks regarding Bandarban.
He offered the apology amid protests by different quarters over his remarks.
‘A few days ago, I also unintentionally said something about Bandarban. Later, I felt that I should not have said that. I would like to express my regret to you about this,’ said Sarjis after a group of students in Bandarban announced the party as ‘unwanted’ till he expresses regret.
NCP leaders, activists and supporters brought out a procession from the District Shilpakala Academy area of the town and the procession met in the rally.
NCP leaders and activists, including the party chief organiser for south, Hasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, senior joint convener Samanta Shermeen and senior joint member secretary Tasnim Jara, among others, participated in the programmes.
They also held a rally and a march in Chattogram city in the evening, reported ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· Staff Correspondent in Chattogram.
Nahid said, ‘Our chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary exposed some truths in Cox’s Bazar. And now, we are being attacked for it. In Banshkhali, our NCP organiser was assaulted. He is suffering from a head injury.’
Referring to Chattogram’s crumbling urban infrastructure, he said, ‘This historic city has been pushed into disarray through years of negligence and plundering in the grip of mafias.’
Nahid further said, ‘We consider Chattogram the most crucial region for Bangladesh’s national security and sovereignty. It must be developed into a new economic zone. To strengthen our maritime and naval capabilities, we must first strengthen Chattogram. NCP is committed to doing that.’
The NCP is scheduled to hold marches in all districts till July 30, demanding trial of the Awami League and its leaders for the massacres during the mass uprising, reforms in various sectors, and a new constitution aiming at building a discrimination-free Bangladesh.