Bangladesh won’t accept Indian, US dominance: Nahid
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Mohammad Nahid Islam on Tuesday declared that Bangladesh would accept the dominance of neither India nor the United States, saying the goals of the July Mass Uprising had yet to be fully realised.
Speaking at a discussion marking the second anniversary of the July Revolution at Jagannath University, Nahid said the uprising was not over, arguing that its mandate remained unfulfilled despite political changes following the movement.
“We have not been able to achieve everything we hoped for in post-uprising Bangladesh. We have many disappointments. But we believe the July Mass Uprising is still ongoing,” he said.
He said the movement had been fought to secure democracy, voting rights, border security, an independent foreign policy and Bangladesh’s fair share of transboundary river waters.
“We have cast two votes this time, but the verdict of the referendum has still not been implemented,” he said, urging those who voted in favour of the referendum, particularly first-time voters, to remain vigilant.
“We will accept the dominance of no one – neither India nor the United States,” Nahid added.
The NCP leader also called for greater state support for Jagannath University, saying the institution had long been deprived despite its historic contributions.
“The nation owes a debt to Jagannath University. It has not received the recognition it deserves. The government must give this university special consideration,” he said.
Calling for structural reforms in higher education, Nahid stressed that while infrastructure was important, values and quality education were even more critical.
“The university needs long-term institutional reform. Appointments of vice-chancellors and teachers must be made through a proper and transparent process,” he said.
Highlighting the university’s role in the July movement, he said Jagannath University students had played a significant part in the uprising, noting that many of its students were injured during clashes at Dhaka University on July 15.
Nahid made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled “The July Mass Uprising: From Spark to an Ongoing Revolution” and a prize-giving ceremony organised by the Jagannath University chapter of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti at the university’s central auditorium.
NCP Political Council member and MP Abdullah Al Amin, Jagannath University Treasurer Professor Dr Sabina Sharmin, Proctor Professor Md Nasir Uddin, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti President Zahid Ahsan, General Secretary Abu Bakar Majumdar, JAKSU Vice President Riazul Islam, Jagannath University Chhatra Dal President Mehedi Hasan Himel and leaders of several anti-fascist student organisations also addressed the event.
