May the new party keep my country safe, says July Uprising victim’s father

Father of the 6-year-old extends his ‘unwavering’ support for the NCP

Nowsher Ali, whose 6-year old son Zabir Ibrahim was killed in the July Uprising, has expressed his hope to the newly formed National Citizen Party, or NCP, that there would be no more bloodshed when people take to the streets to claim their rights.

Speaking at the launch of the NCP on Friday, Ali said: "We do not want the bloodshed of 1971. We do not want the bloodshed of the 1990s. We do not want the bloodshed of 2024, during the July Revolution."

"I extend my unwavering respect and support for them to give us a new Bangladesh. I want this new party to keep my country safe.”

"We, especially the martyrs' families, stand behind this party," said Ali.

The NCP officially embarked on its journey to establish a "new political paradigm" in Bangladesh at Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue around 4:15pm on Friday.

Supporters gathered from the South Plaza to Khamarbari for the party’s unveiling, including relatives of those killed in the unrest.

Ali, in an impassioned speech, blamed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina for his son’s death, likening her to a "serial killer”.

He referenced past episodes of state violence, including the BDR massacre, which saw dozens of military officers slain.

Ali said, “I am the father of 6-year-old Zabir Ibrahim. My Zabir, my child, was not safe in Bangladesh.”

"For 15 years, that fascist Sheikh Hasina—yes, I will call her a serial killer—has been on a killing spree. It began with the massacre of 57 army officers 15 years ago, and ended with my son on Aug 5, 2024."

“So she is a serial killer,” he declared.

Midway through his speech, an announcer interrupted to welcome a large procession arriving from Gopalganj, the district that is home to the family of Hasina and her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Welcoming the procession from Gopalganj, Ali said: "This is not Sheikh Hasina’s Gopalganj. This is not Sheikh Mujib’s Gopalganj. This is not Awami League’s Gopalganj. This is the Gopalganj of martyr Abu Sayed."