ACC Treating Fascist Propaganda as Allegations Against Asif: Nahid Islam
Mr. Nahid Islam, the convener of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has raised severe questions regarding the professionalism, competence, and neutrality of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). In a Facebook post published on Tuesday night, the NCP chief condemned the anti-graft watchdog for accepting online rumors against party spokesperson Mr. Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan as formal complaints. Mr. Islam alleged that the commission adopted claims originally fabricated seven months ago by the propaganda cell of the ousted Awami League regime, adding that this development reinforces the urgent need for a complete institutional overhaul.
Expanding on his critique, Islam argued that incorporating politically motivated propaganda word-for-word proves that efforts are resurfacing to use the ACC as a political instrument for character assassination against leaders of the recent mass uprising. He drew direct comparisons to past practices, noting that opposition figures were routinely targeted under the previous administration. Mr. Islam remarked, ‘This reflects a repetition of the regular harassment of opposition political leaders, including former BNP chairperson Ms. Khaleda Zia, by utilizing the ACC during the autocratic rule of Ms. Sheikh Hasina’, warning against the revival of fascist tactics.
The NCP convener further highlighted that political consensus was reached in the post-July revolution era to reform state bodies according to the July Charter. However, he accused the current administration of bypassing prescribed processes and violating the constitution by appointing a controversial individual as the ACC chairman. Mr. Islam contended that the true objective behind such an appointment was not institutional reform, but rather the partisanization of the commission to re-establish it as a potent instrument designed to harass, intimidate, and suppress opposition forces.
Concluding his post, Mr. Islam declared that the NCP is prepared to cooperate with any investigation if the ACC is reconstituted neutrally through the July Charter framework, but firmly rejected actions by an unconstitutionally formed body. Demanding immediate systemic correction, he stated, ‘Our demand is clear: conspiratorial and politically motivated harassment must be halted immediately, and an independent, autonomous, neutral, and effective Anti-Corruption Commission must be reconstituted following the spirit of the July Charter and the announced reform process’.
