National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam today said there will be no compromise regarding the July Charter — not even one percent — despite the party having made some earlier concessions on issues such as the July Declaration.
“For the last one year, we have made concessions; we compromised on the July Declaration. But there will be no compromise regarding the July Charter — not even one percent,” he said.
The NCP Covenor was addressing the Youth conference organized by the NCP youth wing, Jatiya Juboshokti at the Krishibid Institute in the city marking the International Youth Day-2025.
Nahid Islam said, “The framework of fundamental reforms announced on behalf of the people, the new settlement we have envisioned — where democracy will be ensured, where autocracy can never return, and where we will build the state structure on democratic foundations — we will not yield even an inch on that July Charter.”
“We want elections. Our fight is for elections, democracy, and voting rights. But we have also said that Bangladesh must go through change. The biggest crisis right now is maintaining stability and national unity. Without creating a mindset of compromise among ourselves to ensure the country’s stability, another ‘1/11’ will come—because history shows us this,” he added.
Nahid said, “Just as the National Citizen Party was born from the streets during the mass uprising, Jatiya Juboshokti too emerged from the streets of the July mass uprising. The organization was founded with the aspirations of the uprising.”
“We must remember that one year has passed since the mass uprising. Therefore, we are making various assessments—what we have gained in a year, what the youth have achieved, and how much the country has changed. Without such evaluations, we will not understand our responsibilities for the future,” he said.
The NCP convener added, “We have not yet received the new settlement in the new Bangladesh. That’s why our July uprising has not ended. The fight and responsibilities of the youth are not yet over. We have seen how, after 1971, looting took place, how the Rakkhi Bahini was created to destroy democracy. Even after the 1990 mass uprising, the promises made to the people were not fulfilled.”
“To derail the 2024 mass uprising and betray its generation, every kind of preparation has been made. But we want to say—the equation is not over yet. Those who think the equation is already settled are on the wrong path. The power of the mass uprising, the power of youth, is still on the streets,” he said.
Nahid said, “We believe that political problems must be solved by political parties, and that culture must be established in Bangladesh. If political parties fail, non-political forces will benefit, and various foreign powers will benefit.”
He said, “The National Citizen Party has repeatedly made concessions for the sake of the mass uprising. But we have reached the final point. This time we will not give in. The interim government, established on the blood of martyrs with certain promises, will not be allowed to leave without fulfilling those promises. Until they are implemented, no political party will be able to come to power.”
“We will not let people’s dreams be shattered; we will not allow the July generation to be betrayed. No matter how much media trial or conspiracy is carried out against us, we will continue fighting in the streets to empower the youth in line with the aspirations of the uprising,” he said.
He added, “This does not mean that the NCP must come to power. Young people from all political parties took to the streets; student and youth organizations fought.”
“Every political party must bring youth into its policymaking level, and they must honor young people for their role in the uprising. If you do not honor us, honor the youth in your own party. We want to see the highest representation of youth in the next parliament. All political parties must commit to this,” Nahid said.
Nahid added, “We believe the first vote of the youth will be in favor of the youth. Our July march is not over yet. We will return to the field soon, return to the people soon. We will participate in the upcoming elections only after implementing the promises of the July Charter.”
