Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer for the southern region of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has described his absence from the July Declaration ceremony as a “silent protest” against what he called an incomplete and divisive document.
In a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon, Hasnat publicly responded to a show-cause notice issued by the party over his trip to Cox’s Bazar on August 5.
The NCP had summoned five leaders, including Hasnat, to appear in person before senior party officials and submit a written explanation for their absence during the observance of the July Mass Uprising Day.
Explaining his decision, Hasnat wrote, “On the evening of August 4, I learned that many of our injured comrades and frontline activists were deliberately excluded from the ceremony. I considered this not only a political but a moral failure. The event prioritized a select few voices over unity and the sacrifices of the martyrs and the wounded. I felt no obligation to attend such a gathering and instead chose to travel outside Dhaka the next day.”
He further stated that the purpose of his travel was to reflect on recent developments and reassess the movement’s direction. Hasnat added that his actions were a symbolic protest against what he viewed as the shortcomings of the July Declaration.
According to his statement, Hasnat attempted to inform NCP Convenor Nahid Islam on the night of August 4. When unable to reach him, he contacted Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and informed him of his plan to join a two-day trip with school friends. Nasiruddin, who was at the party office with the convenor at the time, reportedly conveyed the message and later confirmed the convenor`s approval.
Hasnat also alleged that intelligence agencies secretly recorded their every move and shared the footage with media outlets, portraying the trip as suspicious. He condemned the spread of baseless rumors, including claims of a secret meeting with U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas, who, according to him, was not even in the country at the time. He expressed outrage at what he called “an old pattern of criminalization” still present in the “new Bangladesh.”
One of the most disturbing aspects of the fallout, Hasnat noted, was the character assassination and "slut-shaming" directed at senior NCP leader Tasnim Zara. He strongly condemned such attacks, saying, “I firmly believe these vile actions were meant to discourage women from engaging in politics.”
Hasnat criticized both the intelligence agencies and what he described as “dishonest media,” adding that the NCP should have taken a firm stance against them. Instead, the party issued a show-cause notice with language that, he claimed, reinforced conspiracy theories and false accusations.
He questioned the political wisdom of issuing a show-cause notice without citing any specific violation of party rules or constitution, writing, “I have broken no laws of the party.”
Concluding his statement, Hasnat reaffirmed his commitment to the NCP, urging the party to uphold mutual respect and democratic tolerance in order to grow politically.
