GNV News, March 5, 2025 
 
Student leaders who led the mass protests in Bangladesh in 2024 have formed a new political party, the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), and are preparing for the next general election. They played a central role in protests against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s long rule, ultimately forcing her to step down. 
 
The NCP advocates participatory politics and has stated that in Muslim-majority Bangladesh it rejects both Islamophobia—irrational hatred and religious prejudice against Islam—and religious extremism. The NCP aims to offer a new alternative to the two established parties, the Awami League (AL) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). 
 
However, the NCP also faces challenges. The AL and BNP still wield strong influence, and it is thought that it will take time for the new party to gain nationwide support. Moreover, there are claims that the NCP has yet to establish a clear ideology. Even so, the party’s leaders plan to build a nationwide movement ahead of the general elections expected in late 2025 or 2026, aiming to reflect calls for change in politics. 
 
It remains to be seen how the emergence of this new party will affect politics in Bangladesh going forward. 
 
Learn more about the history and role of student movements in Bangladesh → “Bangladesh: Political Upheaval and Student Movements”
 
Learn more about Islam and its coverage → “Religion and International Reporting: How Is Islam Reported?”

Anti-government protest by students, Bangladesh (2024) (Photo: MDSABBIR / Shutterstock.com)