Chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), Nasiruddin Patwari, has responded to the party’s show-cause notice issued over his recent trip to Cox’s Bazar on August 5– the first anniversary of the July Uprising. Patwari defended his actions, stating that his purpose was not leisure but deep political reflection.
Posting his written explanation on his verified Facebook account Thursday afternoon, Patwari wrote: “Sitting by the sea, I wanted to think deeply about the people’s uprising, the Citizen’s Committee, the structure of the NCP, a future Constituent Assembly, and the outline of a new democratic constitution. I do not see this as a crime– rather, as a responsible mental exercise for any political activist.”
The notice, issued on Wednesday, demanded that Patwari and four other party leaders explain their Cox’s Bazar trip in person within 24 hours to the party’s top two leaders.
In his response, Patwari clarified that he had no pre-scheduled official or organisational duties on August 5 and had not been assigned any responsibilities related to the state ceremony commemorating the July Declaration.
According to Patwari, on the night of August 4, he was informed by the party’s chief organiser for the southern region, Hasnat Abdullah, that Hasnat would be taking a short trip with friends. Hasnat’s phone had reportedly been stolen during the July marches, so he used a colleague’s phone to communicate. Patwari advised him to inform the party convener, and Hasnat assured him that he would.
Patwari also said he personally informed NCP Convener Nahid Islam about his travel plans and later contacted the party’s member secretary, Akhtar Hossain, to confirm that three other representatives were already attending the official event. As he had no assigned role, he decided to travel to Cox’s Bazar for personal reflection, accompanied by Sarjis Alam and his wife, and Tasnim Zara-Khaled Saifullah couple.
Patwari emphasised: Yes, I went on a trip– but it was for serious political contemplation. I believe it was a legitimate and necessary mental retreat for any committed political worker.
Addressing the rumors that swirled during the trip, including speculation that the group had gone to meet former U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas– Patwari strongly denied the claims, calling them “baseless and malicious.”
“Hotel authorities confirmed that Peter Haas was not staying there. Later sources confirmed he was in Washington at the time. This was a planned smear campaign to damage our reputation,” he said.
Patwari also pointed out that he had stayed at the same hotel in the past without any controversy and that he had not been previously informed that personal trips would violate party rules.
Patwari wrote: This trip was transparent, not against party policy, and purely for personal reflection. Nevertheless, out of respect for party discipline and political decorum, I submit this written response. My position is clear: ‘Traveling is not a crime.’ After all, history is not always made in meeting rooms– sometimes, it is born in quiet solitude or by the edge of the sea.
Patwari questioned the basis of the show-cause notice, calling it unrealistic under the circumstances.
