Nahid Islam says ‘no December return’ for ‘Apa’

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has said there is no possibility of ‘Apa’ returning to Bangladesh in December, warning that a gallows would be ready if she did.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a programme organised by the Jatiya Chhatra Shakti at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Mohammad Ruhul Amin Auditorium of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) on Saturday afternoon.

The programme included a reception for new students and an award-giving ceremony for a competition titled ‘Students’ Reflections on the July Mass Uprising’.

Nahid said the students and people of Bangladesh had not fallen asleep, nor had the universities. He urged students to demonstrate this through their actions.

“Do not limit your movements to demanding a Noakhali division. Think about the whole country and the entire world. That is what a university is about,” he said.

Calling on university students to develop global knowledge and skills, he said they should remain aware of developments and ideas around the world and prepare themselves for the global job market.

Students should consider how they could establish themselves not only in Bangladesh but also internationally, he added.

Speaking about November 7, the NCP convener said his party recognised the day as a revolution and questioned why the July Mass Uprising should not also be considered a revolution.

He alleged that the government described events as revolutions when they suited its interests, while referring to those in which it had no leadership as movements or mass uprisings.

“We consider November 7 a revolution, and we also consider the July Revolution a revolution. Is that right?” he asked the students.

Referring to reports that someone might return to Bangladesh in December, Nahid asked whether people were prepared to respond.

“Last time, we were prepared during the July Mass Uprising. Are we prepared this time? Will the resistance be stronger than before, or weaker?” he said.

Expressing frustration over the lack of justice, he said they had shown considerable generosity in the past and had been willing to forgive.

“Using Osman Hadi’s words, we said we would ensure fairness and justice even for our enemies. But over the past two years, we have received no justice. We have not received justice for the killing of Osman Hadi or for the killing of our brothers and sisters during July,” he said.

He added that when people were denied justice, they began organising resistance on their own.

NCP Senior Joint Member Secretary Sarjis Alam, Joint Convener and MP Hannan Masud, and Joint Convener Nizam Uddin also spoke at the programme.

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti central president Abu Baker Majumder, general secretary Tahmid Al Mudassir Chowdhury and other central leaders were present.

sks