[🇧🇩] Banning Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League

[Saif]

Govt will not make decision to ban AL alone: Mahfuj

Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam yesterday said the government will not make any unilateral decision regarding the ban on the Awami League; rather, the decision will be taken following consultation with political parties, development partners, and other stakeholders.

www.thedailystar.net

Govt will not make decision to ban AL alone: Mahfuj

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam today spoke at journalists after visiting the Purba Narayanpur Islamia Junior Dakhil Madrasa in Lakshmipur. Photo : BSS

Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam yesterday said the government will not make any unilateral decision regarding the ban on the Awami League; rather, the decision will be taken following consultation with political parties, development partners, and other stakeholders.

"The government believes it cannot make the decision alone to ban the AL without consulting other political parties, as well as our local and foreign partners and stakeholders," he said.

Although the country's people have repeatedly demanded the banning of the AL, the adviser said, "We believe the government will make this decision after consultation and a thorough review of the matter involving all parties."

Mahfuj made these comments in response to a query from a journalist after visiting the Purba Narayanpur Islamia Junior Dakhil Madrasa in the Isapur Union of Ramganj upazila in the afternoon.

Earlier, he arrived at his village home and met with family members. Mahfuj also offered prayers at his paternal grandparents' graves.

Speaking on the next general elections, the adviser said the chief adviser had said elections would be held between December of this year and June 2026.

"It will depend on how much reform takes place and how these will be implemented. We should keep the elections limited to this period. The government has no ambition beyond that," Mahfuj said.

Noting that there is no ambiguity regarding the elections, he categorically stated that the polls will definitely be held.

"There are two timelines -- December or June -- and the election will take place within this timeframe. The government may not go beyond these timelines. Political parties should prepare. The election will happen," he added.

Regarding the Media Reform Commission, Mahfuj said the recommendations of the commission will be reviewed with the involvement of all stakeholders.

"We will reform as much as we can during the current interim government's tenure. Specifically, the issue of media workers' wages and benefits is a top priority. The issue of ownership is also under review," he added.​

 

[Saif]

NCP will not accept rehabilitation of Awami League: Akhtar Hossain

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said they will never accept the rehabilitation of the Awami League, accusing the ousted party of committing genocide

en.prothomalo.com

NCP will not accept rehabilitation of Awami League: Akhtar Hossain
BSS
Published: 05 Apr 2025, 19: 34

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain addressed at a discussion held with NCP organizers at the Rangpur Chamber Building Auditorium on Friday night BSS

National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said they will never accept the rehabilitation of the Awami League, accusing the ousted party of committing genocide and crimes against humanity in Bangladesh.

"If anyone from the Awami League dares to join any programme of NCP in any way, we will resist and hand them over to the law. We believe that those who established fascism in Bangladesh have no moral right to do politics in the country," he said.

Akhtar said this while talking to local journalists after attending a discussion held with NCP organizers at the Rangpur Chamber Building Auditorium on Friday night.

In response to a question, he said, "In the current situation in Bangladesh, it is crucial to bring to justice those who committed genocide during the 2024 mass uprising."

"This trial should not only focus on individuals, but also address the crimes against humanity that the Awami League, as a party, has inflicted on Bangladesh," he added.

Akhtar Hossain said the NCP, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee are distinct and independent organisations.

"NCP will operate as a political party, while the National Citizens Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will continue to work to implement the aspirations of the July Uprising as political and civil society platforms," He added.

Akhtar said, "All the organizations are certainly making decisions based on their own views."

"We think that activities of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee have come to an end with the joining of many people to NCP from those two platforms. We are currently working with NCP," he said.

Regarding the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh's interim government Chief Adviser, Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, in Bangkok, NCP Member Secretary stated, "The Chief Adviser has reflected the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh."

"However, it is essential to follow the appropriate bilateral and international frameworks in dealing with India. The relationship between Bangladesh and India should not be seen as one between any political party and a foreign nation," he added.

"The interim government must take all necessary steps to ensure the trial of Sheikh Hasina. The people of Bangladesh want a solution to the Teesta and Ganga water-sharing and border-killing issues," he said.

At the event, Akhtar urged all political parties to cooperate the reform initiatives that the interim government has taken.

NCP joint chief organiser Farzana Dina and leaders of various levels of Bangladesh Democratic Students' Union, Anti-Discrimination Students' Movement, and National Citizens' Committee were, among others, present at the event.​

 

[Saif]

On rehabilitating Awami League

DEALING with the fallen Awami League has posed a political and diplomatic challenge for Professor Yunus’s interim government. While this appears to be a tricky issue, Awami League’s de facto national identity as a political entity needs foregrounding.

www.newagebd.net

On rehabilitating Awami League
by Obaidul Hamid 12 April, 2025, 00:00

DEALING with the fallen Awami League has posed a political and diplomatic challenge for Professor Yunus’s interim government. While this appears to be a tricky issue, Awami League’s de facto national identity as a political entity needs foregrounding.

Rehabilitating this marauding political party is not a popular demand. It’s the wish of Awami activists and beneficiaries who occupied different organs of the state body during Hasina’s atrocious regime. The end of the regime in August 2024 has eliminated only a fraction of the Awamised force. The larger part is still functional in different forms and modalities. Awami leaders who were allowed to escape the public wrath and take refuge in other countries have also been actively pursuing the rehabilitation project. One host nation is using both diplomatic and undiplomatic strategies on their behalf to pressurise the new government in Bangladesh.

From the people’s perspective, it’s a question of banning — rather than restoring — Awami League. However, banning may not be a wise move in longer terms. Professor Adil Khan examined the banning option in an article in New Age about two weeks ago. One of his conclusions was that ‘the remedy may lie not in banning a badly behaving party [read Awami League] but in preventing bad people from entering political parties.’

The ‘remedy’ as mentioned by Professor Khan is a Personnel Verification System (PVS) which is an integrity check for people entering politics and monitoring their integrity while they are in office. He noted that the model worked for South Korea. In his view, it’s worth exploring for Bangladesh in the new political environment. The model emphasises democratic norms and practices within political parties including the selection of their leaders.

However, the known and unknown agents of Awami rehabilitation may not endorse the PVS. For them, rehabilitation is bringing the old system (with all its evils) back and maintaining the status quo. For example, they would ask for reinstating Hasina, regardless of the volume of crimes that she committed in her political life.

Can Bangladesh rehabilitate a political party whose Bangladeshi identity is suspect and whose affiliation with a foreign country may have erased all marks of suspicion? Awami League’s connection with this country is proverbial. The 1971 war may not be imagined without Awami League being patronised by this country. Then, after the events of 1975, Hasina was sheltered by the same country as a special guest. Since Awami League’s first rehabilitation during Ziaur Rahman’s rule, it’s the only party in Bangladesh that this country has trusted. Without doubt, this trust in Awami League has been at the expense of the trust in or concern for the people.

This neighbouring power has come to Awami League’s rescue at every political juncture. Following the political turmoils and the 1/11 government during the first decade of this century, Awami League was resaddled to power by this neighbour’s intervention. To ensure that the party can stay in power, this country intervened at each of the subsequent elections. Its position was crystal clear: Democracy or no democracy, election or no election, Awami League should be in power. Diplomatically, it declared that elections were internal matters for Bangladesh in which it should not interfere. However, its interference has been an open secret. In the current political circumstances, the country has removed the veil of non-interference. It now demands a participatory election in Bangladesh, obviously in the interest of Awami League and of itself.

The metaphorical ‘husband-wife’ relationship that was promoted during Hasina’s rule was not between Bangladesh and this country; its affinity was with Awami League. However, it wasn’t a ‘conjugal’ affair after all. The so-called ‘husband’ can be seen — more appropriately — as the parental home for Awami League. Being thrown out of power, Hasina fled to this home. She also had returned to Bangladesh from this resort about four and a half decades ago.

Awami League’s filial obligation to the ‘parent’ nation may have no match in the world. Hasina’s autocratic rule presented many anomalies, violations, and contradictions. However, there was one clear method in all her madnesses. This was to make sure that the parental home remained ever happy with her, no matter what.

Minority Muslims have gone through terrible times in this ‘secular’ nation, especially under Hindutva rule. However, Tahajjud-praying Hasina never said a word about the inhuman treatment inflicted upon the Muslims or other minorities. Bangladeshis have been killed on the borders on regular intervals. Instead of requesting the authorities — not to speak of protesting — to stop the killing, her ministers defended it, attributing the blame to Bangladeshis. Hasina’s own public assertion that what she had given to this country can never be forgotten by the latter does not fall into the remit of political giving. It’s an instance that contributes to defining the national identity of Awami League.

This Awami identity is substantiated by countless examples of serving this nation’s interests. Abrar Fahad was beaten to death by Hasina’s hooligans simply because he spoke in the interest of Bangladesh and against Awami League’s limitless giving to this country. Bangladeshis were shot to death on the street because they protested the visit of its Muslim-butchering leader. Criticising public authorities of this nation was made a criminal offence in Bangladesh during Hasina’s rule. Bangladesh’s judicial system was mutilated to kill a group of Muslim leaders as per the prescription of this power. Giving transit to this nation, employing its nationals, buying electricity from them at exorbitant costs — all were done for this nation’s and Awami League’s own benefits.

The rehabilitation question needs to be addressed in Awami League’s own terms. Pakistanising the Jamaat and BNP was part of its key political discourses. From the Awami point of view, Jamaat and BNP leaders deserved to be exported to Pakistan because of their alleged connection with this Muslim country. In fact, Hasina did ban Jamaat days before her fall and escape to India. The Pakistan affinity of Jamaat and BNP has never been proven. On the other hand, Awami exchanges with the other nation against Bangladesh’s interests have left no doubt. If Jamaat or BNP did what Awami League has done with the other country, would the former deserve rehabilitation after their fall for reasons of their own making? If the answer is no for them, it should be no for Awami League too.

Awami League’s political asylum bid calls for a critical and rigorous scrutiny. This is not the first such request by or on behalf of the party. It was shown mercy earlier. In return, the people were rewarded with the longest rule of tyranny with, among other consequences, enforced disappearances, aynaghors and capital flight as its hallmarks. Rehabilitating this mafia-style fascist party is not just giving it a second chance. It is also capitulating to the sub-imperial hegemon in the region.

The neighbouring nation wouldn’t fall short of voicing Awami League’s innocence and goodness. It is unlikely to see the evil that led to its dethronement. This may lead to a logical proposition: Why not rehabilitate Awami League in this country rather than in Bangladesh? Awami League is neither needed nor wanted in Bangladesh. The neighbouring nation has sheltered a sizable body of Awami leaders since last year. Maybe they can join politics in the host country and continue serving the host’s interests, not worrying about Bangladesh.

Awami League’s rehabilitation bid is one of the many ironies defining the fallen regime. Hasina arrogantly said that there was no power in Bangladesh that could dethrone her. Bangladeshis were considered her enslaved subjects. With her monarchic hubris, she said that she fed, clothed, housed, lighted, and medicated 170 million people. She mythologised herself as a beneficent goddess and viewed the people of Bangladesh as recipients of her beneficence. Ironically, she is now in need of her beneficiaries’ mercy.

Hasina’s fall is natural justice. She should be allowed to suffer her destiny. Showing undue mercy to Awami League may not augur well for Bangladesh. It may be the case of a Trojan horse with sabotaging intentions and plans.

Obaidul Hamid is an associate professor at the University of Queensland in Australia. He researches language, education, and society in the developing world. He is a co-editor of Current Issues in Language Planning.​

 

[Saif]

NCP demands trial of AL

The procession began around 7:00pm and paraded through the surrounding area

www.thedailystar.net

NCP demands trial of AL

Photo: Anisur Rahman

The National Citizen Party (NCP) yesterday brought out a torchlight procession in the capital's Jatiya Press Club area, demanding the trial of Awami League and a ban on its political activities.

The procession began around 7:00pm and paraded through the surrounding area.

NCP leaders also called for political reforms and a constituent assembly election.

They held a brief rally following the procession.​

 

[Saif]

Govt shows excuse of West’s viewpoint when calls grow to ban AL: Sarjis

He did not name any specific individual from the interim government or any Western country

en.prothomalo.com

Govt shows excuse of West’s viewpoint when calls grow to ban AL: Sarjis
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 25 Apr 2025, 23: 03

Sarjis Alam speaks at a rally in front of the national museum in Dhaka on 25 April, 2025.Tanvir Ahmmed

Whenever demands are raised to ban Awami League, the government gives the excuse of the West’s support, Sarjis Alam, the chief organiser (north) of the National Citizen Party (NCP) said.

He made the statement while addressing a rally in front of the National Museum in Dhaka on Friday, hosted by Inqilab Mancha to demand the trial of ‘July, Pilkhana, and Shapla massacres’ and ban on Awami League.

Sarjis Alam said the demand for banning the Awami League, which they are raising today, was supposed to be fulfilled by August 2024. “Whenever we tell them to ban the Awami League, they give the excuse of the West’s viewpoint. Where was the West’s viewpoint when thousands were killed at Shapla Chattar, Pilkhana, and in July?”

He, however, refrained from naming any specific individual from the interim government or any Western country in support of his statement.

Addressing political parties, Sarjis said “Fear this generation. If you stand on this generations’ blood and play with their emotions, they will rise against all powers and pull anyone down from power.”

People chanting slogan at the rally Prothom Alo

Mosaddek Ibne Ali, former co-coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, said a political party has been formed after the July uprising. “They sold their spines to foreign embassies. After formation, they issued two press releases but did not mention the demand to ban the Awami League. Though the kite of this government spins during the interim period, its reel remains in the hands of foreign embassies.”

Asaduzzaman Fuaad, general secretary of the AB Party, called on the government to clarify the progress of trials. “In the world, there are precedents of permanently banning many fascist parties. The interim government must follow suit and ban the Awami League.”

Addressing the programme, Rifat Hawlader, who lost a leg during the July uprising, said “I want to declare standing on my only leg that no more brothers should lose their legs like I did. As long as I am alive, I will continue the fight against efforts to rehabilitate the Awami League.”

The rally Prothom Alo

Ali Ahsan Junaid, chief organiser of United People’s Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), said, “As long as we are alive, the Awami League will not be able to do politics in this country. We did not fear in July, and no evil force has the capacity to contain us. We want to tell the government – take action immediately to ban Awami League. Otherwise, you will be pulled out of the power.”

Nurul Islam Saddam, secretary general of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, alleged that the interim government failed to prosecute a single murder that took place in the last 16 years. Describing the Awami League as a “terrorist organisation,” he demanded its immediate ban.

In his speech, Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, vowed to ensure the trial of Awami League until one of the Inqilab Manch members is alive.

At the programme, his organisation presented some demands, including the visible opening of the July massacre trials within the next 100 days, banning Awami League through executive order, official recognition and trial of Shapla massacre, publication of a list of martyrs with help of the United Nations, disclosure of full report of the Pilkhana carnage investigation, and incorporation of a clause to try Awami League in the electoral manifesto of all political parties.

Sharif Osman Hadi warned that if no steps are taken in the next 100 days, they will besiege the secretariat after a ‘march for Bangladesh’ programme on 36 July (5 August). Until the date, they will carry out public campaigns in all 64 districts.​

 

[Saif]

AL’s registration must be cancelled, activities banned: Nahid Islam

Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam has called for immediate cancellation of the Awami League’s registration as a political party and a complete ban on its political activities. “The people of Bangladesh gave a clear verdict against the Awami League on August 5 (20

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

AL’s registration must be cancelled, activities banned: Nahid Islam
Published :
May 02, 2025 17:42
Updated :
May 02, 2025 17:42

Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam has called for immediate cancellation of the Awami League’s registration as a political party and a complete ban on its political activities.

“The people of Bangladesh gave a clear verdict against the Awami League on August 5 (2024). They declared that this party should no longer be allowed to do politics in this country,” he told the 5th founding anniversary programme of the AB Party at Jatiya Press Club (JPC) on Friday.

Nahid Islam said, “On August 5, the people of Bangladesh delivered a verdict against the Awami League that it should no longer be allowed to engage in politics in this country.”

“When we say the people will decide the fate of Awami League, there are two paths – one through voting and the other through street protests. On August 5, the latter occurred through a public uprising,” he added.

Nahid, former information and broadcasting adviser of the interim government, further said a mass uprising has taken place in the country in which the people rejected both Mujibism and the Awami League, reports BSS.

“Amid the public outrage, Awami League leaders fled the country,” he said, adding, “Now, there should be no debate about whether the Awami League can continue in politics. They have lost the moral grounds to do so. Now the issue is how the legal process will proceed.”

“We must find a democratic path forward. The Awami League’s registration must be cancelled, and its organisational activities must be banned immediately. Only then can we reach a final decision through a judicial process,” he said.​

 

[Saif]

Protesters gather in front of Jamuna demanding ban on Awami League

Students and the public have started a sit-in programme in front of the Jamuna, the residence of the chief advisor, demanding that the Awami League be tried as a genocide perpetrator and that the party be banned. The programme began at 10 pm on Thursday (May 8) under the leadership of NCP's chief

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Protesters gather in front of Jamuna demanding ban on Awami League
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 08, 2025 23:35
Updated :
May 08, 2025 23:35

Students and the public have started a sit-in programme in front of the Jamuna, the residence of the chief advisor, demanding that the Awami League be tried as a genocide perpetrator and that the party be banned.

The programme began at 10 pm on Thursday (May 8) under the leadership of NCP's chief organiser (south) Hasnat Abdullah, according to local media.

Hasnat Abdullah appeared in front of the Jamuna at 10 pm that night. Since then, protesters have been gathering there with processions demanding a ban on the Awami League.

Earlier, Hasnat Abdullah announced on his verified Facebook ID that he would start a sit-in programme in front of the chief advisor's residence, Jamuna.​

 

[Saif]

'March to Dhaka' again if decision is not made quickly: Nahid

On Friday night, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam warned that if the government does not promptly decide to ban the Awami League (AL), a nationwide "March to Dhaka" will be organised, similar to previous mass mobilisations. This warning was issued via a post on his verified Faceboo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

'March to Dhaka' again if decision is not made quickly: Nahid
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 09, 2025 23:06
Updated :
May 09, 2025 23:06

On Friday night, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam warned that if the government does not promptly decide to ban the Awami League (AL), a nationwide "March to Dhaka" will be organised, similar to previous mass mobilisations. This warning was issued via a post on his verified Facebook page during the ongoing Shahbagh blockade.

In his statement, Nahid Islam emphasised that the sit-in at Shahbagh would continue and called upon all forces, regardless of political affiliation, to unite in the demand to ban the Awami League, citing concerns over national sovereignty, according to local media.

The protest at Shahbagh began earlier in the day, with Hasnat Abdullah, NCP's chief organiser for the southern region, leading a rally that moved from the Chief Adviser's residence to the Shahbagh intersection. By 5:00 PM, approximately a thousand protesters had gathered, chanting slogans demanding the banning of the Awami League.

The Shahbagh blockade is part of a broader movement that includes various political and student organisations, all calling for the prohibition of the Awami League's political activities. This movement follows the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after a mass uprising in July 2024, during which hundreds were killed.

Despite the formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, tensions persist over the Awami League's potential participation in future elections. Student leaders and NCP members have expressed strong opposition to any attempt to reintegrate the party into the political process without holding its leaders accountable for past actions.

The ongoing protests and blockades underscore the deep divisions within Bangladesh's political landscape and the demand for accountability and reform.​

 

[Saif]

We have no disagreement on taking action against Awami League: Asif Nazrul

Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Friday said the law will be no problem in banning the Awami League (AL) as there are some laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, for banning the party. "We (advisers) have no disagreement on the issue of taking action against the A

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

We have no disagreement on taking action against Awami League: Asif Nazrul
BSS
Published :
May 09, 2025 18:25
Updated :
May 09, 2025 18:25

Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Friday said the law will be no problem in banning the Awami League (AL) as there are some laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, for banning the party.

"We (advisers) have no disagreement on the issue of taking action against the Awami League. However, everyone can have their own opinion on the method. We need to remember that if we want, we can amend the ICT Act within a few days. There are other laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, to ban the Awami League. So, the law is not a problem," he said in a post on his verified Facebook account on Friday.

The adviser, who is a professor of law himself, said if the political parties demand the banning of the Awami League and the trial courts concerned come up with any judgment or observation in this connection, Awami League can be banned legally for sure.

"The Law Ministry's draft included a provision to ban an organization, in the ICT Act to create an opportunity to ban the Awami League. As the law adviser, I myself raised this in the Advisory Council meeting. How is it possible that I would oppose the draft that was raised by me? Please refrain from blaming me, the student advisers or anyone else for whatever role played by whichever adviser in the Advisory Council meeting." he added.

On the issue of allowing former president Abdul Hamid to leave the country, the law adviser said that it was the duty of police and intelligence agencies to stop the former president, who is a murder case accused, from leaving the country, adding, "Which is in no way a matter under the jurisdiction of my Law Ministry."

"The lower court judges are under the jurisdiction of my ministry. As you probably know, it is not the responsibility of the judges to guard airports or to prevent anyone from travelling," he further said.​

 

[Saif]

'Shahbag blockade will be withdrawn as soon as notification to ban AL is issued'

On Friday, 9 May 2025, protesters blocked Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection, demanding the immediate banning of the Awami League (AL). The demonstration, led by the National Citizen Party (NCP), began in the afternoon and continued into the night. Protesters declared they would not vacate the area unti

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

'Shahbag blockade will be withdrawn as soon as notification to ban AL is issued'
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 09, 2025 23:23
Updated :
May 09, 2025 23:23

On Friday, 9 May 2025, protesters blocked Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection, demanding the immediate banning of the Awami League (AL). The demonstration, led by the National Citizen Party (NCP), began in the afternoon and continued into the night. Protesters declared they would not vacate the area until the government issued an official notification banning the AL.

The protest commenced near the Chief Adviser's residence, Jamuna, and moved to Shahbagh around 4:30 PM, following an announcement by Hasnat Abdullah, the NCP's chief organiser (South). He stated, "We will leave here and blockade Shahbagh. We will continue the blockade until a notification is issued banning the Awami League."

Protesters chanted slogans such as "Ban the Awami League now" and "No place for AL in Bangladesh," while holding national flags and placards demanding the party's prohibition, according to local media. The demonstrators, comprising students, political activists, and members of various Islamic organisations, accused the AL of undermining national sovereignty and democracy.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam warned that if the government delayed banning the AL, a nationwide 'March to Dhaka' would be organised. He emphasised that all forces, regardless of political affiliation, should unite in this demand.

The protest follows the July 2024 uprising, which led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Since then, there have been increasing calls for the AL's political activities to be banned and for those responsible for the crackdown on protesters to be held accountable.

As of late Friday night, the blockade at Shahbagh remained in place, with protesters vowing to continue their sit-in until their demands are met.​