Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) expressed deep concern over recent events where certain factions raised divisive slogans during anti-fascist demonstrations, disrupting efforts to build national unity following July's political upheaval.
"While various political parties, ideological groups and citizens participated in anti-fascist mass movement demanding Awami League be banned as terrorist organisation, one particular faction deliberately raised party-centric slogans opposing Bangladesh's historical struggles," official press release stated on Monday.
NCP categorically denied any connection to controversial slogans, with Joint Office Secretary Saleh Uddin Sifat declaring, "No NCP member raised party slogans or statements contradicting our nation's historical legacy during recent demonstrations."
Dr. Md. Khorsed Alam, Associate Professor at Dhaka University and a critical media researcher, commented on recent political developments, stating, “Mahfuj Alam’s position is clear and commendable. Sometimes it seems he and the NCP are on different paths.”
He welcomed NCP’s statement clarifying its stance on the Liberation War and national anthem, calling it timely.
Khorsed Alam urged the party to adopt clearer positions on women’s and indigenous issues, and to distance itself from far-right influences. While acknowledging NCP’s political alignment needs, he emphasized, “The future of politics must be built upon a dual reliance on 1971 and 2024, the spirit of July.”
Party leadership emphasised that responsibility rests solely with those directly involved, calling attempts to link NCP with divisive rhetoric "entirely baseless and unwelcome."
NCP maintains that proper recognition of Bangladesh's key historical struggles, 1947, 1971, and 2024, remains essential prerequisite for political engagement in country.
"Those accused of opposing 1971 liberation war or assisting genocide must clarify their stance before nation," they insisted, adding that such accountability would strengthen national consensus and help realise aspirations of 2024 uprising.
NCP noted protesters firmly continued with national anthem despite objections from certain groups, demonstrating commitment to national identity despite provocations.
"Only through greater unity among Bangladeshi people can Mujibism be comprehensively overcome," party stated, urging all political entities to take "farsighted decisions" regarding their ideological positions.
Party leaders called on those persecuted under former regime to continue fulfilling their "essential role in building new Bangladesh as true proponents of country."
In a recent TV talk show, BNP’s Barrister Rumeen Farhana and NCP’s Joint Secretary Tahsin Riaz faced off over a controversial slogan allegedly chanted during an anti-AL protest.
Rumeen Farhana claimed the crowd shouted, "Catch each League and slaughter them," and played a video as evidence. Tahsin denied it, asserting the official slogan was "Catch each League and jail them," and challenged critics to verify the audio. “We’ve broken away from toxic slogan traditions,” he said, adding, “Multiple clusters were present, but officially, we don't endorse such slogans.” He acknowledged Rumeen’s concerns as a caution against normalizing hate speech.
It is worth noting that the banned student organization Chhatra League used to chant the slogan: "Catch each Shibir member and slaughter them." This is why the current slogan is considered controversial.
NCP concluded by emphasising that parties whose past positions contributed to division must clarify their stance and move toward national reconciliation for "prosperous and bright future for people of Bangladesh."
