After the mass uprising, student leaders who led the movement have remained active through platforms like the National Citizens’ Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, voicing various demands. Initially, their demands included the removal of the president, drafting a new constitution, appointing independent councilors as administrators, implementing the July Declaration, forming a Constituent Assembly, and most recently, holding local government elections. However, apart from the ban on the ruling student organization, none of their demands for building a new Bangladesh have been successful.

Recently, leaders of the newly formed political party, the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), have called for simultaneous parliamentary and Constituent Assembly elections, alongside the implementation of the July Charter. NCP leaders insist that they have not abandoned any demands, arguing that these are fundamental to their state-building project. They claim that even if implementation is not possible now, they will push for it once they gain the necessary political strength.

In September, the National Citizens’ Committee was launched at the Shaheed Minar with an eight-point demand, including justice for those responsible for student and civilian killings and forming a Constituent Assembly to draft a democratic constitution through public discourse and referendum.

The following month, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement issued a five-point demand from Shaheed Minar, calling for the permanent ban of the ruling student organization as a “terrorist group,” the removal of President Shahabuddin, a new “Proclamation of the Republic” within a week, the annulment of the last three parliamentary elections, and the confiscation of assets of those elected in these elections while barring them from future participation. Although many, including student leaders, initially rallied for the president’s removal, opposition from the major political party BNP led them to withdraw. However, the ruling student organization was banned.

NCP leaders blame major political parties for obstructing their demands. Joint Secretary Alaudin Mohammad stated that their demands are the pillars of state reconstruction, but dominant political forces are resisting them. He acknowledged the greater organizational strength of these parties, which is why NCP is not engaging in direct confrontation. He asserted that their demands represent their political stance and will be implemented when they acquire the necessary power, as history records every demand made.

In December, the Citizens’ Committee demanded that independent candidates who supported the student uprising in July be appointed as administrators under the 2024 Local Government (Municipality) (Amendment) Ordinance. They even held rallies with councilors, but after facing criticism, student leaders backed away. Recently, the government appointed Citizens’ Committee leader Mohammad Ejaz as the administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation.

On December 31, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Citizens’ Committee had planned a grand event to unveil the July Declaration. However, BNP’s opposition prevented this from happening. The night before the announcement, the government claimed it would issue its own declaration, and since then, the issue has faded from discussion.

In February, student leaders demanded local government elections before the parliamentary polls during the first meeting of the National Consensus Commission, but this demand is also losing traction. Alaudin Mohammad suggested that the government should conduct smaller elections first to test the capacity of existing institutions before holding a major national election. He urged the government to at least hold city corporation elections before national polls.

NCP convenor Nahid Islam recently stated that if political consensus is reached, both the Constituent Assembly and national elections could be held within a reasonable timeframe. However, before any election, they demand visible judicial proceedings and the implementation of the July Charter.

Senior NCP Joint Convenor Ariful Islam Adib emphasized that their demands were proposed as solutions to national crises. He warned that if BNP and other parties continue opposing them out of old political habits rather than considering broader national interests, the public will deliver its verdict in the upcoming elections. He reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the democratic struggle.