Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, issued a sharp warning to the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, saying no one could surpass his party when it came to violence. “Despite the opposition repeatedly demonstrating goodwill, the ruling party is actively seeking violence. Though our blood is hot and we are young, we understand exactly what needs to be done and when to focus on nation-building. However, if the ruling party desires violence and wishes to adopt it as their sole political weapon, we proved during the 2024 mass uprising that nobody can outdo us in that regard,” Bhuyain said, as cited by Prothom Alo. The remarks came in the wake of an attack on the party’s chief coordinator, Nasiruddin Patwary, in Jhenaidah.Demanding the arrest of those allegedly involved in the attack by Friday night, Bhuyain warned, “if they are not arrested, and if you choose the path of violence, we too will be forced to opt for violence.”Warning the government against confrontation, Bhuyain said, “If you wish to inflict this upon us, this battle will not be fought against any single political party, specific ideology, or doctrine; this battle will be waged against an entire generation. Sheikh Hasina made the mistake of fighting this generation. I hope Tarique Rahman will not repeat that mistake.”He also claimed that those involved in the alleged attack on party workers had been identified through video footage and photographs, and demanded their immediate arrest.“Those who attacked our comrades have all been identified tonight. If they are not arrested, and if you choose the path of violence, we too will be forced to opt for violence,” he added.Bhuyain, a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), which is part of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance, said the opposition had consistently urged the government since the national election to implement the referendum verdict and fulfil the aspirations that emerged from the July mass uprising.Reiterating the opposition’s call for cooperation in building a “new Bangladesh”, he said, “despite the opposition repeatedly demonstrating this goodwill, the ruling party is actively seeking violence.”The National Citizen’s Party (NCP) emerged from the student-led uprising that forced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from office in 2024. The protests, initially sparked by anger over civil service job quotas and later fuelled by allegations of police violence, rapidly spread across Dhaka and other parts of the country. According to the United Nations, as many as 1,400 people were killed, most during the security crackdown ordered by Hasina.The NCP’s subsequent decision to join an 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami exposed internal divisions within the party. Several women leaders resigned, alleging they had been sidelined. After its electoral defeat, the NCP accused authorities of “result tampering” and administrative manipulation.
