NCP central leader Sarjis Alam addressed a protest rally marking International Women's Day in Shahbagh on Saturday. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, March 8, 2025 (BSS) - National Citizens Party (NCP) Chief Organizer (North region) Sarjis Alam has strongly condemned the societal trend where women are used only when needed and then subjected to defamatory campaigns when they are not required.
 
 “We don’t want to see the country’s women, half of the population to be used at the time of needs and their defamation when their necessity is over,” he said.
Sarjis Alam was addressing a protest rally, organized by NCP demanding women's safety marking International Women’s Day, in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh in the capital today.

He said, “We have seen our sisters on the streets during protests, receiving widespread support. Yet, when our sisters enter the political arena, they are subjected to malicious propaganda.” 

“We want to make it clear from our party that, just as we have seen our sisters on the front lines of the anti-fascist struggle during the uprising, we want to see them at the forefront of policy-making in future,” said Sarjis. 

On recent violence against women and minor Achiya from Magura, he said protecting our sisters from the ‘vultures gaze’ has become a challenge. 

“Moreover, at Dhaka University, we saw how a man tried to impose his ideology on a sister,” he added.

“If we seize a police station for hours and force law enforcers to release an offender, then the overall process become as an obstacle for the state to function properly,” he said.

“We must understand where and when to speak. One person's belief cannot be imposed on others. The state should not be considered as our home.”

“From our party, we want to make it clear that the state is one thing, and the religion is another. The state must embrace all religions. The state must accommodate all schools of thoughts. None can impose his customs, practices, or beliefs on others,” he added.

Sarjis also raised concerns about the law enforcers’ inability to ensure the safety of women.

Highlighting the courage of women who led the recent movement from the frontlines, he said, “When one hundred women stood at the front of a procession, they gave us more courage than thousands of men could ever provide. They are the women who instilled fear in Killer Hasina.”

NCP's senior joint convener Samatha Sharmin, Joint convener Nusrat Tabassum, martyr Monirul Islam Opu’s wife Amena Shaheed Rima, martyr Masud Rana’s wife Jannatul Ferdous Shafa, Organizer of Bangladesh Democratic Student Council Shymoli Sultana Zedni and Moyna Begum, a representative of slum dwellers of Mohammadpur area also addressed the rally. 

They urged the government to take urgent action to ensure the safety of women across the country and create an environment where all citizens, especially women, can live with dignity and freedom.