Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam on Sunday called for the drafting of a new constitution that guarantees equal dignity and rights for all communities.
“The 1972 constitution did not include all the communities of the country. It created a division between the hill people and Bangalis in the name of nationalism,” he said while speaking at a street rally in Rangamati’s Bonorupa in the afternoon.
He said the people of the Chattogram Hill Tracts have long faced divisions and unrest, which others have exploited for their own gain. “A new constitution must be written to ensure equal dignity for all communities,” he added.
“We want to write a new democratic constitution with dignity for all, setting aside all differences. We reject the Mujibist constitution and seek a new national agreement that guarantees the rights of both hill and plain people,” the NCP leader said.
Nahid said the NCP envisions a State where diverse ethnicities, languages and cultures coexist with equal rights and no discrimination.
“If there are any internal issues or community-level problems, we will solve them ourselves. The NCP is committed to national sovereignty and state integrity.
Through dialogue and consensus, we will eliminate divisions and establish rights and dignity for all,” he added.
Earlier in the day, NCP leaders arrived in Rangamati and led a march from the District Shilpakala Academy, which ended at Banarupa CNG premises, followed by a street rally.
Unprecedented security measures were taken from Betbunia in Kaukhali, the gateway to Rangamati, to key points across the city during the march and rally.
NCP Rangamati District Chief Coordinator Bipin Jyoti Chakma delivered the welcome speech at the road meeting.
NCP Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin, Dr Tasneem Zara, Northern Region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam, Southern Region Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah also spoke at the event.
