NCP chief urges govt to prioritise communal harmony, law and order

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam expressed concern over a "climate of fear" re-emerging in Bangladesh, alleging that the government is using old tactics to suppress dissent. Speaking at a discussion on the contributions of minority communities to the July uprising, Islam urged the government to give "the highest priority" to communal issues while ensuring law and order.

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The current law and order situation is not satisfactory. We can see this in various ways. But communal issues must be given the highest priority while ensuring law and order.

Islam pointed to incidents like attacks on temples during Durga Puja and on the Buddhist community in Cox's Bazar as evidence of a deteriorating situation. He claimed that attempts were being made to use social media to spread tension by portraying minor incidents in a different context. "Various agencies and political groups lie in wait to take advantage of this," he said, adding that these groups deliberately try to create communal divisions to undermine Bangladesh's image.

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Various agencies and political groups lie in wait to take advantage of this. They deliberately try to create communal divisions and destroy harmony because they want to portray Bangladesh as a country where communal harmony does not exist.

To foster harmony, Islam stressed the need for "institutional reforms," including in the judiciary, democracy, and electoral system, stating that democracy is a prerequisite for harmony. He also suggested an upper house of parliament to ensure proportional representation for different communities. The NCP convener demanded justice for communal attacks over the past 16 years, linking it to the broader goals of the July uprising.

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Harmony can never be ensured without ensuring democracy. Democracy is a prerequisite for harmony. And reforming state institutions, the electoral system, and the judiciary is a prerequisite for ensuring democracy.

Islam concluded by stating the NCP's readiness to cooperate with the government on national issues if it implemented the July Charter, ensured justice, established good governance, and improved law and order. He emphasized that national unity remains crucial for the success of the July uprising and the country's progress.

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We are talking only about the enforced disappearances and killings of the past 16 years. But from today’s gathering, we are also demanding justice for the communal incidents that took place during this period.