Nagorik committee aims to foster national unity for state reforms

The Jatiya Nagorik Committee plans to build a national consensus among the public and all political parties for the state reforms, said Samanta Sharmin, the organisation’s spokesperson.

Speaking at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday, Samanta outlined their intention to organise public discussions, form a people’s assembly, and draft a new democratic constitution through a referendum.

“We have completed 53 years of independence, but the most painful fact is that we still lack national unity on any issue,” she said.

Samanta underscored that the country remains divided on almost everything, and basic state functions, like the peaceful transfer of power, have become increasingly difficult.

This division, she noted, allows various domestic and foreign interest groups to exploit the situation.

Stating that the committee’s initiative is based on an eight-point agenda Samanta said, “We are not a political party, but this initiative is entirely political. The committee aims to dismantle the fascist system and establish a new political order.”

Samanta stressed that the recent student-people uprising has rendered the current political system ineffective.

She added, “The fascist government has fallen, but the system persists through various laws, institutions, and socio-cultural practices.”

The committee intends to abolish this “fascist system” and establish a new democratic order, ensuring that no future head of government must flee like Sheikh Hasina.

In response to a question about student political activities, Akhtar Hossain, the committee’s general secretary, said that all activities of the democratic student forces are currently suspended.

“Since students on campuses do not currently support student politics, future plans will be announced later. However, we want a section of the students to remain active in politics because they will play a role in building the country in the future,” he said.

Nasir Uddin Patoary, the convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, was also present at the press conference.