National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain spoke a rally at Central Shaheed Minar in the capital this afternoon. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Aug 3, 2025 (BSS) – National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain today said the July Declaration must be given constitutional recognition and the July Charter must be effectively implemented.

“The people of Bangladesh must remain vigilant and act as guardians to ensure the implementation of the July Charter and Declaration,” Akhter told NCP’s manifesto announcement rally this afternoon at Central Shaheed Minar where the party unveiled its 24-point manifesto titled “Manifesto for a New Bangladesh.”

The NCP leaders said, “Our martyrs sacrificed their lives to free the people of Bangladesh from decades of oppression and deprivation. Our injured brothers and sisters still stand before us bearing the scars of that struggle. We must honor their sacrifices.”

Akhter said, “In the new Bangladesh we envision, we do not want divisive politics. We want no discrimination among Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Biharis, Chakmas, or Santals.”

He emphasized that the interim government is responsible for carrying out the necessary reforms outlined in the July Charter.

Akhtar Hossain stressed the urgent need for fundamental reforms to prevent politicization of Bangladesh’s institutions. “We will never allow the judiciary to fall under the control of any party. Policies made in the Secretariat must be sincerely presented before the people and serve the public interest,” he said.

Referring to the national consensus formed among political parties through the National Consensus Commission, he said, “We have joined the commission with great expectations. Every reform achieved so far must be fully implemented. The people of Bangladesh are waiting; every word of the July Charter must be realized. We will not allow the July Charter to become a mere paper tiger.”

Recalling the historic declaration made from this Shaheed Minar last year to abolish the fascist system, Akhtar said, “To uphold that legacy, the National Citizen Party has called for fundamental reforms in Bangladesh’s state structure. Those who have held power have never been accountable to the people.”

He added, “We want a system where every public representative—from the prime minister down to local members—must answer to the people. The people of Bangladesh have seen one-party dominance and politicization of administration during power transitions in the past. We will not tolerate that in Bangladesh in the future.”