BNP’s Stance on July Certificate is Like ‘Wagging a Dog by Its Tail’: Hasnat Abdullah

A meeting of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) with the families of July martyrs and the injured was held at a hotel conference room in Jessore city on Friday afternoon. Central leaders of the NCP delivered speeches at the event.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of NCP in the southern region, sharply criticized the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) stance on the July certificate. He remarked, “The government is thinking about the July certificate, and BNP is supposedly considering it. Who is supposed to consider it, and who is actually doing so? It’s like wagging a dog by its tail.” Addressing the BNP, he added, “We say, do not betray the blood of your workers.”

The meeting was held at 12 PM as part of the “July March to Save the Country” campaign. Although NCP convener Nahid Islam was scheduled to attend, he did not show up.

Criticizing the Election Commission, Hasnat Abdullah said, “The Election Commission is heading toward another rigged election and result announcement. We don’t want a BNP-leaning or NCP-leaning Election Commission. We want a Bangladesh-leaning Election Commission.” Addressing the Election Commission, he continued, “Remember, you are sitting in the commission on the blood of students. Some people sitting in the stands want to control the game. To play, you must come onto the field. Neither a coach nor a referee can play the role of a player. If someone tries to commit a foul from outside the field, they will face the same fate as Sheikh Hasina, Nurul Huda, or Farzana Rupas of the world.”

Hasnat Abdullah also criticized the health adviser, stating, “There has been no change in the health sector. Everything is running as it was before. If there had been changes, the injured from July wouldn’t have so many complaints about receiving treatment today. Even after August 5, the health adviser has gone abroad for treatment multiple times. Taking a salary from the state every month is akin to being unemployed. If the children of bureaucrats studied in this country, the education system would improve. If health advisers received treatment in local hospitals, the health sector would improve. If transport advisers and officials used public transport, the transport system would improve. To build a new Bangladesh, we must unite and implement these changes.”

Hasnat Abdullah further stated, “Now they say the breaking of 32 was a mob. Some days later, they’ll say August 5 was a mob too. Then, in the case of Hotel Jabir in Jessore, everyone will be labeled as terrorists. That’s why the July declaration will be announced at the Central Shaheed Minar on August 3. Everyone should come there.”

He added, “The election is being deliberately delayed. Many parties are uniting to stop the election. They don’t want reforms or justice; they only want an election. But we want reforms, justice, and an election as a complete package. Everything must happen as a package.” During the meeting, individuals injured in the mass uprising raised complaints, stating they are not receiving proper medical care. They noted that no political party in Jessore, including the NCP or the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has checked on their well-being. They demanded various government facilities and support. Speakers at the meeting included NCP’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, senior joint member secretary Tasnim Zara, central leader Nusrat Tabassum, and Sakib Shahriar, among others.