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

[Saif]

Protest demands ban on Awami League, new platform announced

Separate protests processions were brought out Friday on the Dhaka University demanding a ban on the Bangladesh Awami League (AL). A protest rally was also organised in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture on the campus under the banner of “General students of Dhaka University” in the...

en.prothomalo.com

Protest demands ban on Awami League, new platform announced
Correspondent
Dhaka University
Published: 21 Mar 2025, 19: 26

The students on 21 March 2025 launched a new platform to press home their demand of banning the Awami League Prothom Alo

Separate protests processions were brought out Friday on the Dhaka University demanding a ban on the Bangladesh Awami League (AL)

A protest rally was also organised in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture on the campus under the banner of “General students of Dhaka University” in the afternoon.

The protesters announced forming the “Platform for the Banning of genocidal Awami League”, which will continue organising various programmes until Awami League is banned.

Earlier in the afternoon, the ‘Inquilab Mancha’ demonstrated in front of the Raju Sculpture demanding the same.

They announced from their procession that they would remain on the streets until the Awami League was banned.

Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad also brought out a protest procession with the same demand. The procession started in front of the central mosque of Dhaka University, paraded through the Raju Sculpture, Shahbagh and ended in front of the central library.

Mr chief adviser, we have been assuring you that we are by your side. Organise a referendum, if necessary; the people are with you. AB Jubayer, a student of Islamic Studies Department at Dhaka University.

In the afternoon, the procession under the banner of the general students of Dhaka University started from the university’s dormitory area and gathered in front of the Raju Sculpture.

The protesters chanted various slogans, “Stop dilly-dallying, ban the Awami League”, “Fight to live” and so on.

Addressing the rally, AB Jubayer, a student of Islamic Studies Department at Dhaka University said, “After taking power, the interim government’s responsibility was to ban the Awami League. But we are seeing that many are trying to talk about a good Awami League, bad Awami League. But what is a good Awami League, especially when they haven’t sought apology after such a mass killing?”

The Islamic Studies student further said, “Mr chief adviser, we have been assuring you that we are by your side. Organise a referendum, if necessary; the people are with you.”

On behalf of the platform, AB Jubayer read out the declaration. He said, “The student-people are once again ready to foil the ill motive of rehabilitating the Awami League. The blood stains have not dried. We will not allow any attempt to bring back the killer Awami League standing on the blood of our brothers.”

We shall unite once again on demand of the ban on Awami League. We have gathered at the Raju Sculpture of Dhaka University; formed the ‘Genocidal Awami League Banning Platform’; whoever you are, whatever is your party, and belief, if you have the same opinion as us of banning Awami League, you are welcome here--AB Jubayer.

AB Jubayer also said, “We shall unite once again on demand of the ban on Awami League. We have gathered at the Raju Sculpture of Dhaka University; formed the ‘Genocidal Awami League Banning Platform’; whoever you are, whatever is your party, and belief, if you have the same opinion as us of banning Awami League, you are welcome here.”

“Come and be united as we did in July. This Bengal will not be the home of the mass killers,” he stressed.

Speaking at the rally, Musaddek Ali Ibne Muhammad, student of Bangla Department at Dhaka University, said already many political parties have rotted, they have been sold to the powers. They don’t want to ban Awami League.

“This new platform will be close down immediately after the ban on Awami League,” he added.

The platform will organise sit-ins and a mass iftar programme to press home their demand of banning the Awami League at 5:00 pm Saturday.​

 

[Saif]

Cantonment conspiring to restore ‘Refined Awami League’, says Hasnat

Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has claimed that the Awami League is “under pressure” from the military administration to return to politics. In a Facebook post around 2 a.m. on Friday, Hasnat claimed that he and two other individuals had been presented w

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Cantonment conspiring to restore ‘Refined Awami League’, says Hasnat
Published :
Mar 21, 2025 20:29
Updated :
Mar 21, 2025 20:29

Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has claimed that the Awami League is “under pressure” from the military administration to return to politics.

In a Facebook post around 2 a.m. on Friday, Hasnat claimed that he and two other individuals had been presented with a proposal for a “Refined Awami League” by the “cantonment."

The meeting, which took place at 2:30 p.m. on March 11, ended abruptly after a heated exchange with a senior army officer, he added.

No official response was made from the army headquarters or the ISPR regarding the demands of this former student leader, who left the Chhatra League amid the July movement, reports bdnews24.com.

The organiser of the NCP’s southern unit, Hasnat wrote, “We were proposed a deal for [parliamentary] seats in exchange for accepting the proposal. We were told that multiple political parties were presented with the proposal and they had accepted the rehabilitation of the Awami League conditionally.

“Wouldn’t it be better to have multiple opposition parties, including a weakened Awami League, rather than just one?” the officials allegedly asked.

“As a result, you’ll see that over the past two days, several politicians have started giving statements in favour of the Awami League in the media," he added.

“A plan is underway to introduce a fresh conspiracy called the Refined Awami League. It is being crafted with figures such as Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhary, and Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh at the forefront,” Hasnat wrote.

According to Hasnat, those with whom the Refined Awami League would consist of will confess the crimes of the Sheikh family from April-May and they would appear in front of the people with promises of revitalising a party with Bangabandhu’s vision.

After former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled in the face of a mass uprising on Aug 5, President Mohammed Shahabuddin abolished the parliament the following day.

Within 27 days of the government’s fall, parliament speaker Shirin resigned from her position. She was alleged in a murder case in Rangpur during the protests.

Saber, MP of Dhaka-9 constituency, was arrested on Oct 6, but he was granted bail in six cases two days later.

Former Dhaka mayor Taposh, a relative of Hasina, fled the country before the fall of the government.

“This plan is entirely orchestrated by India,” Hasnat alleged.

Following Hasnat’s post on Facebook, a protest was launched on Dhaka University campus demanding the ban. The protests continued on Friday at different places in the country.

On Thursday, however, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus made it clear that the interim government had no intention of banning the Awami League.

However, he said the party’s leaders accused of grave crimes, including murder and crimes against humanity, would face trial in the country’s courts.

ALTERCATION

Hasnat claimed when he and his colleagues had rejected the idea and instead demanded accountability for the Awami League’s alleged misdeeds, the discussion escalated.

“We were told that if we obstruct the Awami League’s return, we would bear responsibility for any ensuing national crisis,” he wrote.

“They said, ‘The Awami League must come back’.”

At one point in the exchange, Hasnat recounted, he questioned how a political party that had neither apologised nor admitted to its past wrongdoings could be reinstated.

The response, he alleged, was dismissive.

“They said, ‘You people know nothing’. ‘You lack wisdom and experience. We have been in service for at least forty years, which is more than your age’.”

When the student leaders remained firm in their opposition, Hasnat claimed that tensions rose further.

“I told them, ‘If the Awami League is to return, it will have to be over our dead bodies,” he wrote.

The meeting, he said, ended without resolution.

In his post, Hasnat issued a call for unity against “efforts to rehabilitate the Awami League before it could face trial”.

“I do not know what will happen to me after posting this,” he wrote.

“I may come under pressure, and I may even be in danger. But there is no room to compromise on the issue of banning the Awami League.”

Vowing to resist any attempt to reinstate the party, he warned, “As long as we have a drop of blood in our bodies, we will not let the sacrifices of our martyrs go in vain.”​

 

[Saif]

Political parties divided over AL return to politics

Political parties are divided over the question of allowing Awami League to return to politics as some of them are ready to tolerate the AL politicians with no criminal record, while others demand a complete ban on the party for its involvement in the July-August massacre.

www.newagebd.net

Political parties divided over AL return to politics
Staff Correspondent 21 March, 2025, 23:30

Political parties are divided over the question of allowing Awami League to return to politics as some of them are ready to tolerate the AL politicians with no criminal record, while others demand a complete ban on the party for its involvement in the July-August massacre.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday questioned why the Awami League should not be allowed to engage in politics under the leadership of people with a clean image.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Shafiqur Rahman, however, said that the people of Bangladesh would not accept the rehabilitation of AL.

The division in the views regarding Awami League’s return to politics became visible a day after the chief adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday said that the interim government had no plans to ban the party.

His remarks came when the chief adviser was attending a meeting with a delegation led by the International Crisis Group president and chief executive officer, Comfort Ero,

Rizvi, while addressing an Eid gift distribution ceremony in the capital’s Dakshinkhan area, said, ‘If someone who did not commit crimes, was not involved in student killings and did not embezzle or launder money leads Awami League—then why can AL not do politics?’

‘If speedy justice is ensured, criminals are prosecuted and people then allow them to do politics, we have nothing to say,’ he said.

‘But those who have laundered money, those who are responsible for the killing of children and teenagers like Ahnaf, Abu Sayeed and Mugdho—justice must be ensured,’ Rizvi said.

He said some people were debating whether AL should be allowed to do politics, but they were not demanding the perpetrators of mass killings be held accountable.

The senior BNP leader also questioned Sheikh Hasina’s integrity saying, ‘I even doubt whether Sheikh Hasina believes in Allah. Her only god is money. And someone who worships money can never serve the people.’

‘Her relatives, her chosen individuals and certain businessmen are involved in money laundering. They must be brought to trial,’ he added.

Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman in a post on his verified Facebook on Friday morning said that the people of Bangladesh would not accept AL’s rehabilitation.

He urged people from all walks of life to remain restrained, vigilant and united, rising above party affiliations to play a responsible role in the greater interest of the country.

Shafiqur Rahman also wrote, ‘Bangladesh is crossing a significant turning point in its history. After a long period of fascist rule, on July 36, 2024, the nation was gifted with a new Bangladesh by the mercy of Almighty Allah. For this, we offer countless thanks to the Almighty.’

The fallen fascists are engaged in various conspiracies both within the country and abroad to destabilise the nation, he stated.

The Jamaat chief also wrote, ‘At this moment, the people want to see the trial of the genocide as a priority. There is no room to think about anything else beyond this.’

Besides, the Nationalist Democratic Movement in a statement

said that the interim government must take immediate legal steps to keep the AL away from elections and politics.

The people did not want to see this fascist force anymore, it said.

Noting that the NDM would be in the streets in any movement to ban Awani League, the party said that those who wanted to rehabilitate AL inside or outside the government would have to be accountable to people.

Meanwhile, Jatiya Party chairman GM Quader opposed banning AL, saying that while some individuals within the party might be bad, the party itself was not.

Speaking to journalists at his ancestral residence in Rangpur, he said, ‘Awami League is like a car. The driver may be bad, but that does not mean the car is bad.’

Quader also said that the government was trying to hold elections while excluding ‘half’ of the country’s population but such an election would not be acceptable and would fail to bring stability.

Such action would only push the country towards more conflict and crisis, he warned.

Hefazat-e-Islam joint secretary general Mamunul Haque at a protest rally at the north gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Friday prayers said that ‘The “towhidi janata” of this country have sent them away, any attempt to rehabilitate them will not be tolerated,’ he stated.

‘If an attempt is made to establish AL in the country, it will have to be done over our dead bodies,’ he added.​

 

[Saif]

NCP sees army interference in politics

The National Citizens’ Party on Friday alleged that the army was intervening in politics when it referred to a recent meeting held between the party and high ranking army officials to discuss some political issues.

www.newagebd.net

NCP sees army interference in politics
Staff Correspondent 21 March, 2025, 23:37

A group of Dhaka University students stage demonstrations, demanding a ban on the Awami League, in front of the Raju Sculpture on the campus on Friday. | Focus Bangla photo

Protests erupt for AL ban

The National Citizens’ Party on Friday alleged that the army was intervening in politics when it referred to a recent meeting held between the party and high ranking army officials to discuss some political issues.

When asked at a press briefing whether there was any influence or intervention of the army in politics, NCP chief organiser for South Hasnat Abdullah answered, ‘We wonder about it…since we had a discussion with high ranking army officials. We see it as intervention in politics. Politics will be decided by the politicians.’

He also said that the political issues came up when they went to a meeting with army officials to discuss the law and order situation and to ‘get the answers to some questions they had’ as the army, vested with magistracy power, was engaged in controlling the law and order.

‘I went there as the army has been vested with the magistracy power to maintain law and order,’ Hasnat said, not disclosing the names either of his fellows that took part in the meeting or the army officers attending it.

In the early hours of Friday, Hasnat Abdullah in a Facebook post alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched to bring a ‘refined Awami League’ behind which India was playing the main role.

The post mentioned that former Jatiya Sangsad speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, former environment minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury and former Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh would be the face of Awami League in its repatriation.

He said that the proposal was given to him and two others.

When contacted, the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate declined to comment on the matter.

When Saber Hossain Chowdhury asked about his involvement in the process he was now not involved in politics and also requested the reporter not even mention anywhere that he was approached for comments.

Hasnat also shared a video message of local government and co-operatives adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan in which he said that army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, after a long tussle, accepted the proposal of making Professor Muhamamd Yunus the chief adviser of the interim government.

‘I accepted the decision with a stone heavy on my heart,’ said Asif in the message, quoting the army chief regarding the formation of the interim government following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina regime on August 5, 2024 amid a student-led mass uprising.

Asif further said that the army chief pointed out Yunus as a convict and Awami League did not like him and the party represented 30–40 per cent people’s support.

The Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad brings out a procession, demanding ban of the Awami League, on the Dhaka University campus on Friday. — New Age photo

Students of different public universities, meanwhile on Friday, took to the streets demanding a ban on Awami League, while newly formed political party National Citizens’ Party announced continued movement, pressing the same demand across the country.

The demand for banning AL erupted again after chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at a meeting said ‘the government has no plan to ban AL’ and Hasnat Abdullah’s Facebook post claiming that a conspiracy was going on for AL’s return.

NCP convener Nahid Islam condemned the interim government’s remarks for not having any plan to ban AL.

Addressing a press conference at the NCP office in the capital’s Banglamotor area, the party’s member secretary Akhtar Hossain said that demonstration demanding the trial of Awami League for mass killing and cancelling the party’s registration would continue across the country.

‘We urge the country’s all students, people and well-wishers along with the members of the NCP to take part in the movement,’ said Akthar.

Students of different educational institutions on the day also staged demonstrations in Dhaka city and as elsewhere across the country demanding ban on AL.

They also demanded trial and punishment for the AL leaders and activists for the July massacre.

Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, a newly formed student organisation by a group of leaders of the Student Against Discrimination that led the July-August mass uprising, held a rally in front of Dhaka University central library demanding ban on AL.

Inqilab Mancha brought out a procession after Jumma prayers from the DU central mosque and held rally at the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture on the campus with the same demands.

A group of students under the banner of ‘general students of DU’ held a separate rally at the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture at about 3:00pm demanding ban on AL.

They also announced a Mancha named ‘Ganahatyakari Awami League Nirshiddhokoron Mancha’ at the time.

In the early hours of Friday, a group of DU students came out from their halls and staged a protest march on the campus demanding a ban on AL, reported New Age correspondent in DU.

The march began at around 2:00am from the university’s hall areas and concluded with a brief rally in front of the Raju memorial sculpture.

From the brief rally, DU student Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad vowed, ‘As long as there is a drop of blood in our body, we will not let Awami League continue politics.’

The students of Jahangirnagar University also staged a protest on Friday afternoon, rejecting the chief adviser’s statement on AL’s return, New Age correspondent at JU reported.

At the rally, marketing student Arifuzzaman Uzzal accused the interim government of failing to uphold the spirit of July revolution and called for AL to be declared a genocidal party.

He warned the chief of army staff General Waqar-Uz-Zaman against restoring AL, stating, ‘We dismantled Hasina’s rule in 36 days—don’t try to bring them back.’

Members of the National Citizens’ Party and Shibir leaders were also present at the rally.

New Age staff correspondent in Rajshahi reported that students of Rajshahi University also brought out a protest procession in front of the university central mosque and in the city, demanding a ban on AL.

The students of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur formed human chain on Friday afternoon in front of their campus in the city while Chattogram unit of Students Against Discrimination brought out a procession from the city’s Jamiatul Falah Mosque to Kazir Dewri intersection pressing the same demand.

Earlier on Thursday, during a discussion at the state guesthouse Jamuna with a delegation led by International Crisis Group president and CEO, Comfort Ero, chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus stated that the interim government had no plan to ban Awami League.​