Nahid asks BNP’s Salahuddin to apologise for comment on July activists

He says the BNP leader perhaps does not know who was on the streets, who fought, who stood in front of the bullets

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has asked BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed to apologise for calling July activists -- who had gathered at the venue of the July Charter signing ceremony -- the “fascist army” of the Awami League.

He made the call at a press conference on Saturday at the NCP’s temporary office in the capital’s Banglamotor.

The event was organised to outline the party’s stance on not signing the July Charter and boycotting the ceremony.

“A while ago, we saw that Salahuddin sir called July activists -- who were injured (Friday) – the followers of the ‘fascist’ Awami League,” Nahid said.

“We strongly condemn and protest this.”

On Friday, 24 political parties and alliances signed the July National Charter at the South Plaza of the Parliament Building.

During the event, several hundred July activists entered the venue, demanding official recognition, legal protection, and rehabilitation for those injured during the July Uprising.

Police later dispersed them after clashes that left several injured. Vehicles were vandalised, and incidents of arson were reported.

Speaking at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar the following day, Salahuddin commented on the incident, saying: “We have investigated the chaos that has taken place. It has been seen that some students using the name of July activists entered here.

"I think it is the ‘fascist army’... The Awami ‘fascists’ are trying to create chaos through several loopholes. There cannot be anyone involved in any real July Uprising here.”

Responding to the remarks, Nahid said Salahuddin had likely spoken “by mistake” due to a lack of information.

“Since he has not been in the country for a long time, he was not here during the July Uprising, not on the streets,” he said.

“Therefore, maybe he does not know who was on the streets, who fought, who stood in front of the bullets.”

Referring to those injured in the police crackdown on Friday, Nahid said, “When Atiqul Gazi (Atiqul Islam), whose hand was cut off, is called a friend of the ‘fascist’ Awami League, when the father of ‘martyr’ Mugdho is called a friend of the ‘fascist’ Awami League, when Yameen’s father is called a friend of the ‘fascist’ Awami League -- it is very painful for us, very painful.”

“As a result,” he added, “we call on him (Salahuddin) to immediately withdraw his statement and apologise to the families of the injured fighters and ‘martyrs.’ He should sit with them, listen to the story of the July mass uprising, and learn its history.”