Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organiser (Southern Region) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has issued a strong caution against the growing sentiment of involving the military in political mediation, drawing historical parallels with Bangladesh’s past military interventions, especially the events of 1/11.
In a verified Facebook post on Thursday, Hasnat warned of a “subconscious tendency” among some political factions to rely on the military to resolve civilian political disputes. He reminded the public of the trauma the BNP endured during the 2007 military-backed caretaker government, including the alleged torture of Tarique Rahman.
Responding to criticism that the NCP is anti-election, Hasnat rejected the allegations as part of a coordinated misinformation campaign. He referenced the party’s press briefing on May 21, where Convener Nahid Islam reaffirmed NCP’s support for holding elections between December and June, aligning with the interim government’s proposed timeline. Hasnat also quoted Student Adviser Mahfuz Alam’s May 10 declaration reinforcing the same electoral roadmap.
Defending key student leaders now serving as advisers in the interim government, Hasnat criticized calls for their resignation. He stated it was illogical to demand the ouster of those who played pivotal roles in the July 2024 uprising, which led to the current transition.
While acknowledging the military’s importance in national security, Hasnat emphasized that its role should not extend into democratic transitions. He made clear that the armed forces should remain outside the political sphere to avoid repeating the mistakes of 1/11. He called for vigilance against any attempt—foreign or domestic—to derail the democratic momentum gained from the July Uprising.
Reaffirming solidarity with other political actors advocating for the ban of the Awami League, Hasnat called for unity among all anti-hegemonic and anti-fascist forces. He warned against short-term political agendas that could compromise the public’s democratic aspirations, calling them potential “historic failures.”
In closing, Hasnat urged all political stakeholders to resist division and prevent external and internal actors from exploiting national instability. His message, coming from a key player in recent political upheavals, underscores the NCP’s position on democratic integrity, electoral readiness, and the safeguarding of civilian governance.
