Diversity Is Not a Liability: On NCP’s Exclusion of Muntasir Rahman
In early 2025, the National Citizen Party (NCP) reportedly excluded Muntasir Rahman, an openly gay LGBTQ+ activist, following objections from senior party members. This decision is not merely a personnel change—it is a setback for democratic culture and a stark failure of leadership.
Political parties exist to expand rights, not ration them. When a party sidelines a member because of sexual orientation or visible advocacy, it signals that dignity is conditional and participation is a privilege granted by gatekeepers. That message chills speech, isolates queer Bangladeshis, and narrows the coalition any party needs to govern responsibly.
If there were genuine disagreements over policy or strategy, due process—clear reasons in writing, a chance to respond, and an appeal—should have been the path. Targeting someone’s identity, implicitly or explicitly, is discrimination. Full stop.
NCP, and all parties, should act now:
- Reinstate Muntasir Rahman or provide a transparent, non-discriminatory rationale subject to independent review.
- Adopt and enforce a non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Establish a confidential grievance mechanism and regular sensitivity training so members can work across differences with respect.
Bangladesh’s politics cannot afford to lose courageous voices who push for inclusion and accountability. Excluding Muntasir Rahman does not protect party unity; it impoverishes it. A mature democracy is measured by how it treats those at the margins. NCP has an opportunity to correct course—by choosing fairness over fear, and rights over reaction.
