July Uprising leaders take centre stage at NCP's inaugural rally

The student-led National Citizen Party sets off on its journey to establish a "new political paradigm"

The student-led National Citizen Party, or NCP, has officially embarked on its journey to establish a "new political paradigm" in Bangladesh.

The rally kicked off at 4:15pm on Friday at Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue with the recitation of a verse from the Quran. It was followed by recitals from the Bhagavad Gita, the Tripitaka, and the Bible.

A rendition of Bangladesh’s national anthem then rang out at the venue.

Political leaders, diplomats, and other invited guests were seated in front of the stage set up for the event. After that were seats for the families of those killed during the mass uprising in July and August.

At the start of the event, a speaker said that the NCP was making its debut on the political stage in the hope of bringing about a new paradigm in politics and engaging the youth in the political sphere. The speaker also called for elections for a new Constituent Assembly and the abolition of the “fascist” Constitution.

Following the national anthem, attendees observed a one-minute silence in honour of the martyrs of the July Uprising, after which prayers were offered according to different religious traditions.

In his opening address, Saifullah Hyder, joint convener of the National Citizens' Committee, said:

"Under the leadership of these young people, we will continue the fight to establish the rights that have remained unfulfilled for the past 53 years in Bangladesh."

Mahin Sarkar, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, added: "The NCP is committed to upholding the spirit of the martyrs and the injured to move the country forward. Political differences may exist, but for the greater good of the nation, we must stand united."

Representing private university students, Shahriar Hasnat Apu from North South University also spoke at the event.

The ceremony continued with the introduction of key figures of the July Uprising, including Nahid Islam and Akhtar Hossain, who took the stage. It was followed by the screening of a documentary on the July Uprising.

WHO'S IN ATTENDANCE?

Many prominent political leaders, including Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar and Nurul Islam Bulbul, chief of the party’s Dhaka Metropolitan South unit, attended the programme.

From the BNP, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie were also present.

Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Zonayed Saki, Ganasanghati Andolan Chief Coordinator Ahmed Abdul Qader, Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Ahmed Abdul Kader, Khelafat Andolan Secretary General Habibullah Miazi and Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman Hamidi, AB Party Vice Chairman Retired Lt Col Md Didarul Alam, Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, BLDP Secretary General Shahadat Hossain Selim, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s central committee member, Ashraf Ali Akand, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam vice president Abdur Rab Yusufi were present in the programme.

Jashim Uddin and Shakhawat Hossain Razi of Islami Oikya Jote, Bikolpo Dhara’s Executive President Retired Maj Abdul Mannan and former Secretary General Shah Ahmed Badal also arrived at the programme.

Among the diplomats present on the occasion were Vatican Ambassador Kevin S Randall and Kamran Dhangal, political counsellor of the Pakistan High Commission.

From the new party, Abdul Hannan Masud, Nusrat Tabassum and Ariful Islam Adib had also reached out to the chief advisor with the invitation on Thursday.

CROWDS SWARM MANIK MIA AVENUE

The rally venue and surrounding areas quickly filled to capacity, with crowds spilling beyond the designated space. People occupied nearly the entire road from the South Plaza to Khamarbari.

After Friday prayers, groups of students and supporters from Dhaka and other parts of the country arrived in processions. From the stage, organisers welcomed them by announcing the names of different regions and leaders.

Even after the event had started, small processions continued to stream in, adding to the growing crowd.

Raihan, who travelled from Bogura, shared his excitement, saying: "Many of us came to witness this moment. We believe this new party will mark the beginning of a new political chapter in Bangladesh."

"The mass uprising aimed at reforming the country—now we wait to hear today’s announcements about its future. I trust this new party will fulfill the aspirations of that movement."

SM Anwarul Islam, a man in his sixties from Dhaka’s Kalyanpur, said, "I've been following the news about this new party for days. I wanted to see for myself who is leading it."

"I’ve witnessed all the political parties in my lifetime. Now, the younger generation is stepping forward. I hope these energetic young leaders will play a role in shaping the nation."

Since early morning, people had been arriving to witness what many called a "historic moment".

A significant number of law enforcement personnel were deployed to manage security for the event, which was expected to draw a "massive turnout".

With the stage set up on the road, traffic from Aarong to Khamarbari on Mirpur Road was closed. By 3pm, authorities also halted traffic in the opposite direction, from Khamarbari to Aarong. The NCP issued a statement apologising for the "temporary inconvenience".