Nahid calls for mass movement to force govt reforms

Opposition Chief Whip and Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam on Sunday called for a mass movement against the ruling BNP government, declaring that reforms will never be implemented without sustained public pressure on the streets.

Speaking at a dialogue with July martyrs' families and injured uprising participants organised by the 11-party opposition alliance at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in Kakrail, Nahid Islam said the opposition had exhausted all parliamentary avenues and must now turn to direct action.

"We wanted everything to be resolved in parliament. But parliament has been made to fail. Now we must prepare for a mass movement. The government will not implement reforms without one," he said, adding a note of resolve. "This time we must take to the streets with a plan. This time we do not want to fail or be only half successful."

Nahid Islam identified the BNP government as the primary obstacle to the reform agenda that emerged from the July 2024 uprising. "Two years after the mass uprising, we remain united in the belief that Bangladesh must be transformed through reforms. The main barrier to that transformation is the current BNP government," he said.

Drawing historical parallels, the opposition leader accused the BNP of repeatedly benefiting from popular movements but abandoning the promises that accompanied them. 

"BNP has enjoyed the fruits of every mass movement in this country. They benefited from the 1990 uprising but threw away the three-alliance framework after coming to power. Now they are rejecting the July Charter and the ordinances," he said.

Pledging personal commitment, Nahid Islam told the audience that opposition leaders would stand at the front lines of any future movement. 

"This time, those of us sitting on the stage will stand at the front. If bullets come, they will hit our chests first. You will support us. God willing, a new Bangladesh will be established. Reforms will be implemented. If BNP or any foreign power tries to obstruct, they will be defeated," he declared.

He accused the government of exploiting the legacy of both the July uprising and the 1971 Liberation War to legitimize its actions while failing to uphold the principles of either. "The government sometimes uses the name of July fighters, sometimes the name of 1971, to justify its various actions. But it truly embodies neither," he said.

Nahid Islam also urged martyrs' families and injured fighters not to allow themselves to be used as political tools by the ruling party, saying July martyrs and wounded participants are national assets and should not be subjected to political manipulation.

Senior leaders of the 11-party opposition alliance were present at the event.