Hasnat warns against army overreach 

Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organiser (Southern Region) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has issued a stern warning against what he described as a growing tendency to grant the military a political arbitration role-drawing sharp parallels with Bangladesh's history of military intervention in politics.

In a verified Facebook post on Thursday afternoon, Hasnat expressed alarm over what he called a "subconscious tendency" emerging within political circles to involve the armed forces in matters of civilian governance.

"Historically, the BNP has suffered deeply from military interference in politics. We haven't forgotten 1/11 or the torture of Tarique Rahman," he wrote, referring to the military-backed caretaker government that assumed power in 2007-widely seen as a major disruption to Bangladesh's democratic process.

Hasnat also defended the NCP amid mounting criticism, dismissing allegations that the party is opposed to elections as part of a "deliberate smear campaign." He accused unnamed quarters of spreading rumors about student advisors clinging to power, characterizing these as coordinated efforts to damage the party's reputation.

Citing the NCP's official stance, he referred to the party's press conference on 21 May, where Convener Nahid Islam affirmed support for elections within the timeframe proposed by the Chief Adviser-from December to June. "Elections can happen within this window, but we've also called for justice and reforms during this period," Hasnat quoted Islam as saying.

Reinforcing this message, Hasnat referenced a 10 May statement by Student Advisor Mahfuz Alam, who declared that "elections will be held between December and June." According to the NCP leadership, this six-month window is crucial for both electoral preparations and necessary institutional reforms.

Addressing the ongoing protests, Hasnat questioned the logic behind demands for the resignation of two key interim government advisers who played leading roles in the July Uprising. "Calling for the resignation of those who led the uprising and are now part of the interim administration is contradictory," he argued.

While acknowledging the military's vital role as "guardian of sovereignty and independence," Hasnat drew a firm boundary against political interference. He expressed full support for the armed forces during times of national crisis but firmly opposed their involvement in the democratic transition that followed the 2024 July Uprising.

"We reject political interference in the democratic uprising of 2024, which was born out of a people's desire for free elections and a smooth transition of power. We must remain vigilant against those paving the way for another 1/11," Hasnat cautioned, invoking the painful lessons of the past.

He also expressed appreciation for allies in the movement to ban the Awami League, while calling on all political parties to maintain unity in the broader struggle for justice and comprehensive state reform.

Warning against short-term political gains at the expense of the people's aspirations, Hasnat described such actions as a potential "historic failure."

He concluded with a rallying call to unite all anti-hegemonic and anti-fascist forces against both external interference and internal conspiracy. "Let us not fall into division and give others the chance to execute their agendas. We must not allow outsiders to jeopardise our democratic future," he declared, urging sustained cooperation to build a "stable, democratic, and prosperous Bangladesh."

Hasnat's remarks carry significant weight, given his central role in recent political developments and his party's influence within the student movement that helped catalyse the current interim government framework.