Sarjis calls for new constitution, trial of Hasina

Staff Reporter :

In one of the most strident speeches delivered at Saturday’s mass rally organised by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Suhrawardy Udyan, Sarjis Alam, the northern chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (NCP), called for the total political, economic, and cultural “crushing” of Mujibism – the ideological foundation associated with Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“There can never be a truly pro-Bangladesh system as long as the 1972 Mujibist constitution remains in force,” Sarjis declared from the stage, drawing roars from the crowd of Jamaat supporters gathered in the late afternoon heat.

Sarjis’s remarks reflected a growing convergence between Islamist and nationalist factions within the broader opposition bloc known as Birodhi 24, which emerged in the aftermath of the 2024 uprising that toppled the Awami League government. Despite ideological divergences between parties like Jamaat and the secular-leaning NCP, Sarjis made a direct appeal for opposition unity.

“We may have political differences, but on the question of fighting Mujibism and authoritarianism, all forces of the uprising must remain united,” he said.

His speech marked one of the most direct attacks on the ideological framework of the former ruling establishment since its fall. Mujibism – associated with the policies and principles of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – remains embedded in the current constitution, which Sarjis dismissed as a relic incompatible with a just and democratic future.

He called for the immediate drafting of a new constitution and the formation of a fresh Constituent Assembly through a national election.