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privately about the future direction of politics. Sitting by the sea, I deeply reflected on the mass uprising, the Citizens’ Committee, the structure of the Citizen Party, the future constituent assembly, and the outline of a new democratic constitution,” he wrote. “I don’t see this as a crime. It was a responsible and thoughtful exercise for a political activist.”

He stated that Hasnat had informed him on the night of August 4, using a colleague’s phone, that he planned a short trip with friends. Nasiruddin said he advised him to inform the party convener. Later that night, Nasiruddin met with Convener Nahid and spoke to Member Secretary Akhter, who confirmed that three other leaders would be present at the July Declaration event and that Nasiruddin had not been assigned any role.

“So I decided to go on the trip,” Nasiruddin wrote.

Those who accompanied him included NCP Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam and his wife; Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara and her husband Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah.

Nasiruddin also addressed rumours of a secret meeting with former US Ambassador Peter Haas. “I immediately told the media this was false. The hotel confirmed he was not staying there, and later sources confirmed he was in Washington at the time,” he wrote. “My trip was transparent, lawful, and intended for personal thinking. Still, I am replying with respect to party discipline. Let me be clear: travelling is not a crime. History is not only made in meetings — sometimes it begins in solitude, even by the sea.”

Hasnat, in his statement, criticised the July Declaration for “prioritising the views of a few individuals” instead of reflecting unity or the voices of those injured or martyred in the July Uprising.

“On August 5, I left Dhaka as a quiet protest against an incomplete July Declaration,” he wrote. “The event, which should have honoured unity, instead promoted division. When the voices of a handful take precedence over those injured or martyred in the movement, I saw no reason to attend.”

He said he had initially tried to reach Convener Nahid and later informed Nasiruddin of his plans.

Hasnat also alleged that their movements were tracked by intelligence agencies, and that their photos and videos were shared with the media. “In collusion with some media and intelligence agencies, our actions were portrayed as suspicious,” he wrote.

He further condemned what he called a “slanderous and misogynistic attack” on Tasnim Jara. “I believe this vile attack aimed to discourage women from participating in politics,” he wrote.

Hasnat concluded that the show-cause notice made no mention of any breach of party rules. “There is no such mention in the notice I received, because I did not break any,” he wrote. “Instead, the language of the notice fuelled conspiracy theories.”