71 no longer sole compass for politics: Nahid

Staff Reporter :

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has called for a shift in the country’s political culture, urging all parties to embrace the values of the 2024 July Uprising rather than continuing to rely on the legacy of the 1971 Liberation War.

In a recent Facebook post, Nahid described the 2024 movement as a “continuation of ’71,” emphasizing that it reaffirmed the people’s demand for equity, dignity, and justice. However, he argued that a new political reality has emerged, shaped by a generation that actively participated in and led the events of 2024.

“Politics must now be based on the values of ’24. Those who want to return to ’71 are denying the new political reality of ’24,” he stated.

Nahid sharply criticized attempts to revive the old binary of being “pro-’71” or “anti-’71”, saying such rhetoric is aimed at pulling the nation back into an outdated and authoritarian political structure.

While acknowledging the historical importance of the 1971 Liberation War, he argued that it should no longer serve as the sole foundation for political legitimacy in contemporary Bangladesh.

According to the NCP leader, the July Uprising represented an act of atonement for many political groups. He warned that its significance would be lost if political actors fall back into divisive, ideological politics of the past.

He concluded his message by emphasizing that the spirit of ’24 is one of national unity, reconciliation, and collective responsibility, not a repetition of political retribution.
“The future must be built through consensus, not by repeating the same cycles of conflict,” he added.

The statement has already sparked discussions in political circles, with some welcoming the call for renewal, while others continue to stress the enduring relevance of 1971.