NCP is neither 'secularist' nor 'theocratic', says NCP’s Nahid

“Indian hegemony is a cultural and geopolitical threat to Bangladesh,” the NCP says

Nahid Islam, convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has swept aside all ideas of the party being secularist or theocratic, saying it believes in “religious coexistence, harmony and the practice of responsibility and compassion”.

Sharing the ideals of the NCP on social media, he said the party wants to build an “inclusive democratic state” through these ideologies.

Nahid posted this on the party's Facebook page after a meeting with top NCP leaders on Monday.

The post highlights different issues, including state reforms, women's rights, religious values, national security, and regional politics in seven points.

Nahid wrote, “One of the main foundations of the Bangladeshi state is the Liberation War. The ideals of equality, justice and human dignity of the war and the aspirations of the 2024 mass uprising for a non-discriminatory and democratic state system are the guiding principles of the NCP.

“In addition, we accept the continuity of the anti-colonial and anti-Brahminist struggle of the Hindu-Muslim-Dalits of Bengal as our political and historical foundation.

“The NCP respects citizens' religious beliefs and spiritual values. While acknowledging Islam as the faith of the majority, it values the language, culture, and lifestyle of Bengali Muslims.

“It is equally committed to protecting the religious, cultural, and civil rights of minority religious and ethnic communities.

“The NCP supports religious and cultural integrity for all, opposes Islamophobia, communalism, and all forms of extremism.

“It rejects both secular and theocratic ideologies as ideal and seeks to build an inclusive, democratic state based on coexistence, harmony, and accountability.”

He added, “The NCP embraces a civilisational national identity instead of one based on race, religion, or tribe.

“It will build a national culture by embracing the civilisational identity of the Bengal Delta, a meeting place of many languages and cultures.

“Women's dignity and empowerment are at the core of NCP principles. It will ensure access to education, healthcare, safety, leadership, and employment, and promote fair property rights under family law.

The party, formed by the frontline leaders of the July Movement, considers “Indian hegemony and Hindutva” a threat.

Nahid wrote, “Indian hegemony and Hindutva in South Asia are a cultural and geopolitical threat to Bangladesh. NCP will take a strong political stand against this trend.

“NCP believes Bangladesh should increase strategic relations with other countries based on fairness, dignity, and national interest.

“NCP wants to build a socio-economic system free from discrimination, justice and corruption, similar to a welfare state.

“Education, public health, agriculture, climate, urban management, labour rights, and employment will be the main policy areas of the NCP.

“It has a vision of creating a new economic zone centred on Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal region.”

Highlighting the formulation of a new constitution, the convenor wrote: “To build a truly democratic state system, it is necessary to restructure the state structure, reform institutions, and formulate a new constitution.

“The main political duty of the NCP is to abolish the fascist system and establish a new political settlement.”