How the NCP aims to establish a 'second republic', a new constitution in Bangladesh

"One of our primary goals is to hold a Constituent Assembly election to establish our ‘second republic," says Nahid Islam

The National Citizen Party, or NCP, asserts that the July Uprising was not merely an effort to replace one government with another, but a broader movement driven by the public’s demand for a new political order in Bangladesh.

Framing the uprising as a rejection of a “fascist system,” the party asserted that citizens sought to dismantle entrenched structures of power and establish a “rights-based state”.

After its launch on Friday, the NCP declared its intention to transform public aspirations into reality, vowing to establish a “second republic,” and draft a new constitution to cement that vision.

The party, founded by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens’ Committee—two groups that played a central role in the July Uprising—will be led by Nahid Islam, who resigned from his post as an interim government advisor to formally step into politics.

The leaders of the July Uprising were present at the NCP’s inauguration event in the capital’s Manik Mia Avenue.

Among the distinguished guests in the front row, alongside political party leaders, were the families of those who were injured or killed during the movement.

Following the announcement of the party’s partial convening committee, NCP Convenor Nahid took to the stage to read the party’s official declaration.

He said, “Even after independence, the people of Bangladesh have had to fight repeatedly for democracy.”

“In 1990, students and the people shed blood to oust a military dictator. Yet, five decades after independence, we have failed to establish a political system that guarantees democracy, equality, human dignity, and social justice.”

“Instead, over the past 15 years, a ‘ruthless fascist’ regime took hold, using state institutions recklessly to serve the ruling party’s interests while destroying democracy. The culture of suppressing dissent, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, rampant corruption, and money laundering became institutionalised,” he said.

Nahid said, “In July 2024, students and the people, through immense sacrifice, staged an unprecedented uprising that toppled the ‘fascist’ government, which had ruled for over a decade and a half.”

“But we must remember, this new freedom, won through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs, was not just about replacing one government with another. The people rose up not merely to change power but to dismantle the fascist structure embedded in the state and to rebuild it on the basis of people's rights.”

With this goal in mind, the National Citizen Party has been founded, Nahid said.

“This will be a democratic, equality-based, and representative political party,” he added.

During his speech, Nahid said the July Movement marked the beginning of the struggle to establish a “second republic”.

“To prevent any future return to constitutional authoritarianism, we must draft a new democratic constitution. One of our primary goals is to hold a Constituent Assembly election to establish our ‘second republic’.”

The concept of a second republic draws from France’s own historical trajectory. For centuries, France was ruled by a monarchy until 1789, when the French Revolution began.

The monarchy was overthrown, and in 1792, amid the upheaval, France declared itself the first republic.

However, the first republic was short-lived, lasting only until 1804. Afterward, the monarchy was restored, continuing until 1848, when the second republic was proclaimed. This new republic endured until 1852.

Today, France is in the midst of its fifth republic, following a series of regime changes that have shaped its political evolution.

Nahid said, “In our ‘second republic’, we will ensure national security by building a strong defence system. We will prioritise rebuilding the country’s broken political, social, economic, and cultural institutions while preserving their democratic character. Only through this can we emerge as a fully democratic state.”

He said the National Citizen Party aims to foster a new political culture where “unity replaces division, justice replaces vengeance, and merit and competence replace family dynasties”.

“There will be no place for corruption or nepotism in this political framework,” he added.

“In our ‘second republic’, the voices of the marginalised will be brought into the mainstream. In our republic, ordinary people—and only ordinary people—will be the ultimate source of power. The strongest protection of all their democratic and fundamental rights will be the foundation of our politics.”

He emphasised that the new political movement would uphold Bangladesh’s ethnic, social, gender, religious, and cultural diversity to build a pluralistic and prosperous society.

“Our republic will provide robust protection to all citizens from poverty, inequality, and the abuse of power. No section of the population will be alienated. Instead, every citizen will be equally valued and their security ensured,” he said.

Outlining the party’s commitment to building a society based on fairness and equality, Nahid said: “Let us join hands and build a Bangladesh where every citizen’s voice is heard, where justice and human rights are the driving forces of politics, and where equality and human dignity are the foundation of the state.”

“Now is the time—to dream anew, to forge a new path, and to build a new Bangladesh,” he concluded.

PARTY LAUNCH

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.

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.

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.

Speaking on stage, Nahid said: “We believe that the divisive politics used to weaken the people of Bangladesh and the state itself was shattered by the unity demonstrated during the July Uprising,” he said.

“From this platform today, we take an oath: Bangladesh will never be divided again. There will be no place for pro-India or pro-Pakistan politics."

“Our politics and state-building efforts will be centred solely on Bangladesh and the interests of its people,” he said.

The inauguration ceremony concluded with the reading of the party manifesto.