The National Citizen Party (NCP) held a political rally in Chittagong on Sunday night, where senior leaders accused previous governments of corruption and exile, while urging the public to stand against social divisions and administrative harassment.
Hasnat Abdullah, NCP’s chief organizer for the southern region, delivered a strongly worded speech at Biplob Udyan near No 2 Gate. He claimed that leaders who once ruled the country now live in foreign capitals after “looting” national resources.
“Those who ruled Bangladesh in the past have made either New Delhi or London their second home,” he said, referring to alleged financial misconduct and self-imposed exile. “They fled after taking everything from the people.”
Hasnat pointed to what he described as a generational shift in political awareness.
“This new generation cannot be bought with money—not even by Sheikh Hasina,” he said. “They are awake now. They will build the Bangladesh of tomorrow.”
He highlighted past protests as moments of pride for the port city. “On July 16 last year, resistance began in Dhaka. A day earlier, Chhatra League was resisted right here in Chittagong. This is a city of struggle. A city of resistance.”
Still, he admitted that the movement’s goals remain incomplete.
“We overthrew dictatorship. But building a proper state—that task remains.”
Civic frustration and social unity
Akhtar Hossain, NCP’s Member Secretary, addressed public frustration over basic services. “People are harassed daily—in passport offices, education boards, police stations, and at the secretariat,” he said. “This has to stop.”
He also criticized the use of religious and ethnic divisions for political ends.
“Divisions were created—between Bengalis and non-Bengalis, between Sunnis and non-Sunnis. That must not go on. We need to move beyond that.”
He added that Chittagong’s religious population has faced marginalization in the past.
“In this city, religious people were once persecuted. That time is over.”
Concerns over attacks and rising resistance
NCP Convener Nahid Islam said party leaders have been targeted across the country. “Our leaders, including Nasiruddin Patwari, spoke the truth in Cox’s Bazar. And now they’re being attacked.”
He pointed to specific acts of political violence—banners being burned and an attack in Banshkhali—as proof that the opposition was trying to silence them. But, he warned, such tactics would only backfire. “If we are stopped from speaking,” he declared, “the fight will only grow stronger. We are committed to winning it.”
Nahid framed the party’s vision as tied to a broader spirit of change. “We are inspired by the spirit of July. We want a Bangladesh free from discrimination.”
Day of demonstrations
Earlier in the day, central leaders of the NCP marched from Bahaddarhat to Biplob Udyan before the rally began. After the speeches concluded, supporters held another march through the area.
This event was the NCP’s latest push to make inroads in the region, as leaders mixed sharp attacks on past governments with calls for people to come together for change. It’s too early to say if that message will catch on with a wider audience, but for now, Chittagong is clearly a key hub for their campaign.
