National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has said that the political reality in Bangladesh has changed after the events of 2024, and the old framework of politics built around being either “pro-71” or “anti-71” no longer resonates with the new generation.

In a Facebook post written in English on Friday, he stated:

“The spirit of 1971—justice, dignity, and equality—was reaffirmed in the democratic and anti-discrimination movement of 2024. While certain political narratives in the past tried to link 1971 with external influences in ways that undermined national sovereignty, the movement of 2024 reclaimed the true essence of independence and unity. It was a collective fight against authoritarianism and oppression, with the vision of building a more democratic and egalitarian Bangladesh.”

He noted that those who participated in and shaped the 2024 movement represent a new political generation. “We have moved beyond 1971 and entered the era of 2024,” he said, adding that attempts to revive the politics of “for or against 1971” are an effort to pull the nation backward into an outdated mindset.

According to Nahid Islam, 1971 will always be a foundational part of the country’s history and respected as such—just as 1947 is remembered—but neither should be used as a political weapon to decide legitimacy.

“Politics now needs to be anchored in the values and aspirations born out of 2024,” he stressed. “The uprising was not about revenge but about national unity and reconciliation. Those who try to use it for retribution misunderstand its core purpose. The true spirit of 2024 is about building the future through compassion, consensus, and collective responsibility.”