A new political platform, led by Ali Ahsan Zonaed, one of the organisers of the July uprising and a former joint convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, is set to be introduced in April this year.
Zonaed made the announcement in a Facebook post on Sunday.
In the post, he wrote, "After the Fateh Ganabhaban (Victory of Ganabhaban) on 36 July (5 August 2024), a new era was supposed to begin in Bangladesh's politics. However, for many involved in the July uprising, the desired change has yet to be realised. Justice for heinous crimes like the Pilkhana, Shapla, and July massacres, the banning of the fascist Awami League party, the construction of a corruption-free social and political structure, the creation of a Bangladesh free from religious hatred and Islamophobia, the total abolition of the fascist framework, and opposition to hegemony—these crucial issues have now become secondary for political parties. The recognition and respect for the martyrs and injured fighters of the July uprising remain incomplete.”
Zonaed said, “In this situation, we have taken the initiative to form a strong platform, bringing together all political and social forces that support the July uprising. Through this, we genuinely wish to implement the uprising’s demands.
“We are determined to bring the revolution that began in Bangladesh on 36 July to completion. We believe that if we establish capable and ethical leadership at all levels of society, ensure social justice and human dignity, guarantee social security, eliminate the existing fascist system, and take effective measures against hegemony, this revolution will achieve its full potential,” he said.
In his Facebook post, Zonaed further stated, “We believe that Bangladesh can be rebuilt on the foundation of a new political culture and a social contract that respects religious beliefs and values. We call on you to actively participate in rebuilding post-uprising Bangladesh. Let us unite in this struggle to build the nation.”
At the end of his post, Zonaed identified himself as the chief initiator of the new platform.
Meanwhile, a Google form has been attached to the comments section of the post, asking respondents to provide details such as their name, profession, educational institution, and areas of interest for involvement in the platform. People from all walks of life have been invited to fill out the form and participate.
Ali Ahsan Zonaed is a former president of the Dhaka University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir and a former joint convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee.
Earlier, he had been in discussions to take a leading position in the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), announced by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee in February.
However, on 28 February, Zonaed and Rafe Salman Rifat withdrew from the NCP before its official launch.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
