Latest news with #NahidIslam
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bangladesh student leader fears uprising gains at risk
A key Bangladeshi party leader at the forefront of the revolt that ousted premier Sheikh Hasina warned on Saturday an army-backed leadership could replace the interim government. Nahid Islam, leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) made up of many students who spearheaded the uprising that ended Hasina's 15-year iron-fisted rule last year, said he worried about an "anti-democratic" future. Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner leading the caretaker government until elections are held, has called for rival political parties jostling for power to give him their full support. Bangladesh has a long history of coups, and the army retains a powerful role. Islam, an ally of Yunus who previously served in his cabinet, told reporters on Saturday that he foresaw a situation similar to January 11, 2007, when a state of emergency was declared resulting in a two-year-long military-backed government. "There are indications that a 1/11-style military-backed government could re-emerge -- one that is anti-democratic and anti-people," Islam said. - 'Should not interfere' - Bangladesh's political crisis escalated this week as rival parties protested with competing demands. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said this week elections should be held by December, Dhaka's newspapers reported, aligning with the demands of the powerful Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). But Islam said that the military's role was "to ensure national security", and not to get involved in politics. "While the military is an essential institution for state security, it should not interfere in political affairs," he said. Yunus has said elections could come as early as December but holding them later -- at the latest by June 2026 -- would allow more time for democratic reforms he says are needed. Islam said it was for those reforms that students launched their protests last year, but that Yunus told him during a meeting on Thursday that the pressure put on him had frustrated him. "He assumed office to bring about fundamental change. People expect to see trials, reforms, and a peaceful transition of power. Under the current circumstances, he feels he cannot deliver to those expectations," Islam said. "There is a real fear that elections may not be free and fair but instead heavily restricted." sa/pjm/dhw
Mint
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Muhammad Yunus ‘thinking about' resigning as Bangladesh interim govt chief: ‘Feels somewhat embarrassed'
Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus reportedly threatened to resign if parties do not give him their backing, a political ally and sources in his office said Thursday. Rumors about the chief adviser's possible resignation had been circulating on social media since Thursday afternoon. Nahid Islam, leader of the National Citizen Party, confirmed that Yunus was "thinking about resigning." He held a private conversation with the chief adviser amid the rumours, sources told Dhaka Tribune. "We have been hearing news of sir's resignation regarding the current situation in the country since this morning. So, I went to meet sir to discuss that matter," Nahid Islam told BBC Bangla. "He says he's thinking about it. He feels like the situation is such that he won't be able to work," Nahid said. Nahid Islam — who had initially been part of Yunus's cabinet before resigning to form a political party — reportedly 'urged him to remain in office.' It was also learned that the chief adviser sought cooperation from all parties. Yunus expressed discontent about relentless protests over myriad demands, Bangladesh-based Daily Star reported. Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner who leads the caretaker government as its chief advisor until elections, told his cabinet he wanted to quit if political parties did not give him their full support, a source inside his office. Meanwhile, a source told Dhaka Tribune, 'The chief adviser feels somewhat embarrassed due to the continuous agitation on various issues recently. He does not want to remain in office if he cannot work independently. This situation was discussed during the meeting.' Nahid also quoted Yunus as saying, 'I cannot work like this. The political parties cannot reach a common ground.' Yunus's reported threat to stand down comes a day after thousands of supporters of the powerful Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) rallied in Dhaka, holding large-scale protests against the interim government for the first time. The BNP, on Thursday, reportedly issued a stark warning that it may be forced to reconsider its cooperation with Yunus' interim government if a specific roadmap for holding the next general election within December next is not announced immediately. Elections, whenever held, will end Yunus' term as the Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bangladesh: dynastic politics and newly-founded NCP
On February 28, history was made in Bangladesh when student activists who spearheaded a movement against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a new political party – the National Citizens Party (NCP). The Monsoon Revolution, led by these students, pledged to end dynastic politics and uphold the key principles of the 1971 liberation war, namely equality, human dignity and social justice. Dynastic politics is common in almost all South Asian countries, but it is in Bangladesh where students formed a political party to end the two-party system, dominated by Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League and Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The Daily Star, a renowned newspaper of Bangladesh, has quoted Akhter Hossain, member secretary of NCP, as saying: "We, the leaders and activists of the NCP, are committed to building a Bangladesh of equality, human dignity, and social justice as envisioned in 1971. NCP will continue to work to build that Bangladesh, and we have many proposals for the whole of Bengal, to see Bangladesh as a country that can stand tall in the world." He further emphasised commitment to promoting middle-class politics in Bangladesh, steering clear of the traditional right-left divide. Will the NCP, led by students, succeed in bringing qualitative change to Bangladesh, ending dynastic politics, and transforming the country into a democratic and progressive state? Nahid Islam, a 26-year-old Sociology student from Dhaka University and the icon of the Monsoon Revolution formed the NCP along with his colleagues. After resigning from the cabinet of caretaker Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, a clear-headed Islam is determined about contesting the general elections scheduled for late 2025 or early 2026. Can other South Asian nations, entrenched in dynastic politics, draw lessons from the NCP? How did the student community of Bangladesh act as an agent of change, succeeding in marginalising both the BNP and AL? Recently, General Waker Uz Zaman, Chief of Staff of Bangladesh Army, speaking at an event in Dhaka, warned against internal divisions within the country. He blamed infighting among stakeholders of the interim regime for the deteriorating law and order situation and expressed anguish over the circumstances that had emerged since August. He advised people to "forget all differences, all evil thoughts, [and] work towards the uplift of the country and national integration. If you can't move beyond your differences, and continue meddling and fighting among yourselves, the independence and integrity of the country will be at risk." It is notable that when, on August 5, 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country, the Army Chief intended to take over but was restrained by the students who revolted against any military intervention. Nahid Islam and other student leaders approached Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, who was in France, to take over the government. With deep-rooted polarisation in Bangladesh and a political vacuum following the regime change, the launch of the NCP will impact the country's political landscape. Not only the AL but also the BNP and Jamaat-i-Islami will struggle against a youth-led political force with clear objectives. Breaking the established political culture that benefited elites and patronised dynastic control will be a challenge. However, it seems the NCP has done its homework on how to participate in elections and challenge traditional political parties. If the AL and BNP, whether in power or in the opposition, had focused on resolving public issues and avoided looting national wealth, the NCP wouldn't have found political space. The League's dictatorial style of governance and the BNP's corrupt practices eroded public trust in both parties and enabled the NCP to make inroads. Ending dynastic politics in Bangladesh and accomplishing NCP's vision requires fulfilling three major conditions. First, unity of purpose and gaining support from the common people is essential in transforming the NCP's vision into reality. In the past, several efforts by the student community to pursue non-traditional politics failed due to a lack of unity, making alternative leadership difficult. This time, however, it's different. The core of student leadership, led by Nahid Islam and others, is determined and will not give up their struggle for a sovereign and prosperous Bangladesh. The NCP's slogan of a 'Second Republic' appeals to the people of Bangladesh. According to the aforementioned student leadership, the objectives that led to the emergence of the 'First Republic' have failed. The Guardian, in its report of March 5, noted: "Speaking at the party's launch, the newly appointed NCP leaders said their intention was nothing short of building a new Bangladesh, what they are calling a 'Second Republic'." Among their ambitious pledges, they are creating an entirely new political system and rewriting the constitution, arguing that Bangladesh has never truly been free or democratic since independence in 1971. Nahid Islam emphasised, "It's important we have a voice in the development of a new democratic Bangladesh. There is huge demand among the young people of this country for a political party which represents their views and demands. We were also worried that the fall of Hasina meant there was a power vacuum in the election, which would be problematic for the democratic process." Secondly, in its proposed 'Second Republic', NCP leaders intend to focus on justice, accountability, good governance and rule of law. Previous regimes since 1971 failed to meet the aspirations of the people due to dynastic politics, corruption and nepotism. It remains to be seen how the NCP, if voted to power, will formulate a new constitution. According to Nahid Islam, "rewriting the constitution would be their primary focus, arguing that the current version – written after independence in 1971 and amended multiple times, including by Hasina – was not fit for purpose." The NCP also plans to hold local government elections to empower people at the grassroots level and include them in the political process. Finally, transforming from a revolutionary movement to a democratic force, the NCP will face an uphill battle in bringing qualitative change. Forces in power since 1971 will not abandon their privilege that easily. However, the will to change Bangladesh for the better is a driving force for the NCP. Pakistan could certainly learn from the Monsoon Revolution and the role of student community in this regard.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Students behind Bangladesh uprising form new political party
Bangladeshi students who played a key role in last year's uprising that led to the downfall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina have officially launched a new political party aimed at promoting national unity and overcoming division in the South Asian country. Meem Akhter, whose brother was among those killed during the anti-Hasina protests, announced the formation of the Jatiya Nagarik Party (National Citizen Party, or NCP), at a rally in Dhaka's central Manik Mia Avenue, near the parliament building, on Friday. Thousands of people, mostly youths, attended the event. Nahid Islam, a prominent leader from the July-August protests, was named as the party's convener, while Akhter Hossain, another key figure in the uprising, has been appointed the party's member secretary. During the launch, Hossain introduced a 151-member committee for the party. The event was also attended by political leaders, civil society representatives, and a few foreign diplomats. The formation of the NCP aims to carve out a new space in Bangladesh's political scene, which has been dominated for decades by the rivalry between the Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), headed by Khaleda Zia. The two women have alternated in power since the 1990s. 'From this platform today, we take an oath that Bangladesh would never be divided again,' said Nahid Islam, 26, who was an advisor in the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus before resigning last week to float the new party. The formation of the NCP follows the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August after 15 years in power.
Bloomberg
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Bangladesh Students Who Ousted Hasina Launch Political Party
Key organizers of last year's student-led uprising in Bangladesh have launched a new political party, setting the stage for an intense electoral battle in the South Asian nation, which is expected to hold polls by December. Nahid Islam, who played a crucial role in mobilizing protesters and forcing Bangladesh's then-prime minister to flee Bangladesh last August, will lead the National Citizen Party.
