National Citizens Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam has called upon the students and citizens of India to raise their voices demanding the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who recently received a death sentence from the International Crimes Tribunal.
Speaking at a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club this evening (22 November), Nahid Islam addressed the role of the neighboring country in the current political landscape.
“India has not only sheltered Sheikh Hasina; it also continued conspiracies inside Bangladesh,” Nahid stated. “I want to tell the students and people of India to raise your voice so that the mass killer Hasina is not given refuge.”
Drawing parallels to the cross-border solidarity seen during the 2024 uprising, the former student coordinator added, “Just like Indian students and citizens supported us in July-August last year, we want that same support for this movement for justice. We want unity between the people of Bangladesh and India.”
Context of the Sentence The demand follows the verdict delivered on 17 November by the International Crimes Tribunal, which found Sheikh Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising. She was sentenced to death, alongside a sentence of imprisonment until death for incitement.
The Tribunal also handed a death sentence to co-defendant and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Another co-defendant, former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, was sentenced to five years in prison.
Diplomatic Relations Nahid Islam emphasized that extradition is a legal right for Bangladesh regarding a convicted criminal.
“Our appeal to the Indian government is that they make immediate arrangements for sending Sheikh Hasina back. Bangladesh can certainly demand the extradition of a convict of crimes against humanity, and India cannot obstruct that,” he said. “We hope India will rebuild its relationship with Bangladesh by sending her back.”
He criticized the past diplomatic dynamic, alleging that for the last fifty years, India has exploited Bangladesh in the name of friendship and assisted the growth of fascism over the last decade and a half.
Three-Point Demand During the rally, the NCP convenor placed a specific three-point demand to the interim government:
- Extradition: Bringing Sheikh Hasina back to the country and executing her sentence swiftly.
- Trial of the Party: Trying the Awami League (AL) as a political party.
- Trial of Allies: Bringing the Jatiya Party and all other parties allied with the AL under trial.
Stance on Upcoming Elections Touching upon the elections scheduled for February, Nahid Islam declared that the Jatiya Party must not be allowed to participate, citing their exclusion from recent dialogues and the July Charter.
“The Consensus Commission did not invite the Jatiya Party or any members of the 14-party alliance, nor did the Election Commission invite them to its dialogue,” he noted. “There was a conspiracy to include the Jatiya Party in the upcoming election… the NCP will remain active against it.”
The rally, attended by NCP leaders and activists from Jatiya Juboshakti, Jatiya Shramikshakti, and Jatiya Chhatroshakti, began at Eskaton Garden earlier in the afternoon before marching to the Press Club.
