NN Online:
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Sunday demanded a new constitution that guarantees equal rights, dignity, and representation for all communities, including ethnic minorities and indigenous groups.
Speaking at a street rally in Bonorupa, Rangamati, Nahid criticised the 1972 constitution for excluding hill communities. “It created a divide between the hill people and Bengalis under the guise of nationalism,” he said.
He argued that people of the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) have suffered decades of division, conflict, and exploitation. “A truly democratic constitution must be written to restore equal dignity to all,” he said, urging a new national consensus to replace what he termed the “Mujibist constitution.”
“Our vision is a pluralistic Bangladesh, where different ethnicities, languages, and cultures can coexist with equal rights and without discrimination,” Nahid added.
He emphasized NCP’s commitment to resolving internal or community-level issues through dialogue and consensus. “We don’t need outside interference to solve our problems. Our party stands for national sovereignty, unity, and equal dignity for both hill and plain people.”
Earlier, NCP leaders led a march from the District Shilpakala Academy to Banarupa CNG premises, concluding with the rally. Unprecedented security arrangements were observed from Betbunia in Kaukhali to key locations in Rangamati.
NCP Rangamati District Chief Coordinator Bipin Jyoti Chakma delivered the welcome address. Other speakers included Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin, Dr. Tasneem Zara, Northern Region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam, and Southern Region Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah.
