National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam on Monday said former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been convicted of crimes against humanity, would be taken "straight from the airport to the gallows" if she returns to Bangladesh in December.
He made the remarks at a discussion titled "The People's One-Point Demand in the Voices of Martyred Families and the Injured" at the Muktijoddha Smriti Auditorium of the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) in Kakrail, Dhaka.
Nahid said: "If Sheikh Hasina returns in December, and if Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arranges for her return that December, are you (the July fighters and the injured) ready? We are all ready. Straight from the airport to the gallows—there will be no discussion. The people of Bangladesh will be on the streets across the country, on the streets of Dhaka that day, and will take her straight to the gallows. We will not leave the streets until the execution is carried out."
Nahid said the July mass uprising's "one-point demand" was not only the removal of Hasina but also the dismantling of what he described as a fascist system and the establishment of a new political order. However, he claimed that the objective remains unfulfilled even after two years.
According to him, while the one-point demand has been partially implemented, the core goals of state reform, justice, and accountability have yet to be achieved.
Referring to the July Charter and the implementation of the referendum verdict, the NCP convener alleged that the country has not witnessed the desired transformation. He claimed that families of those killed have yet to receive justice, rehabilitation of the injured remains incomplete, and partisan influence, corruption, and extortion continue across different sectors of the state.
He argued that these problems would not have persisted had the objectives of the one-point demand been fully realized.
Criticizing the government, Nahid said it had failed to meet public expectations on justice and reforms. He alleged that proceedings related to the July killings, enforced disappearances, murders, and various movement-related cases had stalled.
He also claimed that healthcare services promised to those injured during the movement were not being effectively provided.
On constitutional reform, Nahid said meaningful change would not be possible while retaining the existing state structure. Reiterating his party's demand for a new democratic constitution, he warned that another movement would be launched if reform efforts were obstructed.
Addressing the government, Nahid called for the immediate announcement of a roadmap for the trial over the July killings and the implementation of necessary reforms. Otherwise, he warned, the ongoing movement would intensify.
He said those killed during the July movement did not sacrifice their lives to bring any individual or political party to power but envisioned a discrimination-free, democratic, and accountable state, adding that realizing that vision is now the country's greatest responsibility.
Criticizing what he described as attempts to reinterpret the spirit of the July mass uprising, Nahid said efforts were being made to undermine the sacrifices of those killed and injured. He claimed, however, that the people remain united against discrimination, corruption, extortion, and terrorism.
