Nahid Islam, convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) said since the mass uprising of 2024 is a continuation of the spirit of 1971, the two are not separate struggles but part of the same fight for democracy and justice. 

He said, “On this Independence Day, we remember with deep respect those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Bangladesh’s journey has been marked by struggles—for independence, democracy, justice, and fundamental rights." 

Nahid Islam was speaking to journalists at the National Memorial in Savar today while paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War marking the Independence Day. 

He said that the anti-colonial struggle that led to the 1971 Liberation War finds its continuation in the 2024 mass movement. “Freedom has been won, lost, and reclaimed multiple times. Our hope is that people will no longer have to shed blood for their rights,” he added.

Replying to the reporters’ questions, Nahid Islam reiterated that 1971 and 2024 are not distinct but interconnected. “The aspirations of 1971 remain unfulfilled even after 54 years. With autocratic rule gripping the country for 15 years, another mass uprising became necessary.”

He added that the ideals of equality and justice that inspired 1971 are being reinforced in 2024 through demands for a more just and inclusive society. “Those who are trying to create divisions or misinterpret this movement do so with ulterior motives. They fail to understand the spirit of this new generation and the significance of their struggle,” the NCP convener said.

Other NCP leaders were also present during the tribute.

BDST: 1405 HRS, MAR 26, 2025
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