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

[Saif]

Awami League is ‘already banned in people’s hearts’, says Jamaat chief Shafiqur

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has said the Awami League, ousted through mass uprising, is “already banned in the hearts and minds of the people”. He made the statement while speaking to reporters on Monday after attending Eid prayers at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and v

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Awami League is ‘already banned in people’s hearts’, says Jamaat chief Shafiqur
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Mar 31, 2025 17:48
Updated :
Mar 31, 2025 22:46

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has said the Awami League, ousted through mass uprising, is “already banned in the hearts and minds of the people”.

He made the statement while speaking to reporters on Monday after attending Eid prayers at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and visiting the families of several victims of the July-August Uprising.

According to a bdnews24.come report, Shafiqur said: “It is Allah who has banned them [the Awami League] and the people have done the same in their hearts. If they are not a banned group, then why have they all fled?”

On the issue of justice for the victims of the uprising that ended the Awami League’s 15-year rule, he added: “Justice is their right—an undeniable right of the families who have suffered. Justice must be served.”

“True justice will come in the hereafter, but in this world, they deserve justice too—and it will happen.”

Earlier, after offering Eid prayers at Baitul Mukarram, Shafiqur said many families in Bangladesh were unable to celebrate the festival as they continued to grieve their loved ones, who lost their lives during the July Uprising. “Many mothers are still grieving for their children. Those responsible for the July-August massacre must be brought to justice.”

“People want to see justice that deters future atrocities—justice that ensures no killer can again toy with human lives. If those who were injured or lost loved ones see that justice is truly served, it might bring them some comfort.”

Sharing his vision for a future Bangladesh, Shafiqur said: “We want a country where bloodshed is no longer part of politics. Where human lives are not treated as disposable. A society where people live with love, dignity, equality, and respect.”

“No one should be judged or deprived of their rights based on their religion. All citizens must enjoy equal rights. And we believe such a society can only be achieved by implementing the laws of Allah as set forth in the Quran. That’s the society we’re fighting for—a hunger-free, just society.”​

 

[Bilal9]

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

View attachment 15807

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.​

All corrupt India Dalal people (Rizvi of BNP, GM Quader of JP) are for bringing back AL. They want to resume their India Dalali business activity. These people should be ousted too.

 

[Bilal9]

Hasnat’s statement ‘laughable’, ‘immature’: Army HQ to Netra News

The Army Headquarters has reacted to the Facebook post of Hasnat Abdullah, principal coordinator of National Citizen Party (NCP), regarding pressure from the army to form a “refined Awami League”. Sweden-based Netra News on Saturday published a report on the reactions. It said the post of...

en.prothomalo.com

Hasnat’s statement ‘laughable’, ‘immature’: Army HQ to Netra News
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 23 Mar 2025, 20: 33

View attachment 15872

The Army Headquarters has reacted to the Facebook post of Hasnat Abdullah, principal coordinator of National Citizen Party (NCP), regarding pressure from the army to form a “refined Awami League”.

Sweden-based Netra News on Saturday published a report on the reactions. It said the post of Hasnat Abdullah is nothing but an “extremely laughable and an immature array of stories”.

In his Facebook post, Hasnat Abdullah on Friday wrote, “11 March, 2:30 pm.

“A few days ago I told you about a new conspiracy in the name of ‘refined Awami League’. This is a plan by India. The plan is being done centering Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Shirin Sharmin and Taposh.

“The plan was presented to me and two others from the cantonment at 2:30 pm on 11 March. We were requested to accept the proposal in exchange for sharing some seats. We were said, this was proposed to several political parties already and they have agreed to rehabilitate Awami League on condition. It is better to have several opposition parties including a weaker Awami League than just one opposition party. As a result, you will find several politicians speaking in the media in favour of the Awami League for the last two days.”

The Netra News report said, “In a statement shared with Netra News, the army headquarters acknowledged that its chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, met Hasnat Abdullah on March 11th in Dhaka Cantonment. However, the Army described Abdullah’s assertions as ‘extremely laughable and an immature array of stories’.”

“The meeting wasn’t ‘a matter of summoning them and proposing or pressuring them about the rehabilitation of the Awami League’, the statement said. Instead, it insisted, the meeting occurred at the request of Abdullah and another coordinator of his party, Sarjis Alam, who had long sought a ‘courtesy meeting’ with Waker-uz-Zaman,” the report added.

Hasnat Abdullah, 27, is a former student activist who helped lead the Anti-discrimination Student Movement that emerged after protests against a court order reinstating a quota system for government jobs.

These demonstrations eventually contributed to the downfall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on 5 August last year.

Several student leaders from the movement have served in the subsequent interim cabinet. Among them, Nahid Islam later resigned to establish the National Citizen Party, appointing Hasnat Abdullah and Sargis Alam as regional chief organisers.

The report further said NCP called a media conference on the very night of Hasnat Abdullah’s post. “Speaking at a party press conference on Friday night, Abdullah and his party colleagues doubled down on their claims. But he refused to confirm whether the 11 March meeting he referred to involved Waker-uz-Zaman.

“I have mentioned ‘cantonment’ there (in the Facebook post); you can talk to them,” he said, declining to give a “binary” yes-or-no answer when pressed by a Netra News reporter. He also claimed they had been “invited to talk” about issues of magistracy power and law and order.

“The Army’s statement contradicts much of Abdullah’s version of events, saying that Abdullah and Alam had “for a long time” sought a courtesy call with the general,” the Netra News report said.

On 11 March, the Army said, “Sarjis Alam phoned the Military Adviser to the Army Chief to arrange the meeting, and was asked to come to army headquarters.” Instead, the pair was said to have waited at Sena Bhaban, where the general met them after finishing his official duties.

The Netra News report stated that the news portal was unable to verify what was discussed during the meeting, although a senior army officer said the initiative originated with Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam. Both men, as well as Patwari, have since maintained that they do not harbour any animosity towards the army or its leadership.

The report further said, “Waker-uz-Zaman became a focus of national attention after Hasina was toppled. He was involved in negotiations with various political actors that eventually led to an interim government under Muhammad Yunus.

“Bangladesh’s army has historically played a pivotal role in the country’s political upheavals and continues to wield considerable sway in public life. The general himself has issued warnings about how protracted mudslinging among different factions could ‘threaten Bangladesh’s stability and sovereignty’.

“But the soft-spoken general has repeatedly denied any desire for direct military intervention, even as speculation continues about the armed forces’ influence on civilian politics.

“Nevertheless, unease remains.”

When Prothom Alo contacted the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate about the Army Headquarter’s statement published in Netra News, ISPR said it was not aware of any such statement.​

Army should stay out of politics and not comment on it.

They should stay in the barracks. Too many India dalals in the Armed forces.

 

[Bilal9]

NCP to proceed with demand to revoke Awami League's registration

The National Citizen Party (NCP) wants the Awami League to be banned through a judicial process instead of executive order on charges of genocide during the July uprising. Before that, the party wants the cancellation of the Awami League’s registration. The party will be holding programmes with...

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NCP to proceed with demand to revoke Awami League's registration
Asif Howladar
Dhaka
Published: 27 Mar 2025, 19: 42

View attachment 16000

The National Citizen Party (NCP) wants the Awami League to be banned through a judicial process instead of executive order on charges of genocide during the July uprising.

Before that, the party wants the cancellation of the Awami League’s registration. The party will be holding programmes with this demand.

The NCP also wants a ban on political activities of Awami League until the judicial process is finished. They will take a strong stand against any attempt to rehabilitate the Awami League.

At the same time the NCP leaders will be cautious in their statements regarding the Bangladesh Army and army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman.

The party does not support the negative campaigns being run against the army chief. However, the party will be against any attempt of depoliticisation and political militarisation.

Three top level NCP leaders have clarified this political stance of their party to this correspondent.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, senior joint convener of the party Samanta Sharmin told Prothom Alo, “NCP is focusing on the demand to cancel Awami League’s registration at the moment. However, we will have to move towards banning the Awami League by going through various steps, including the judicial process.”

The NCP, which was formed at the initiatives of the student leaders who led the July uprising, officially started its journey on 28 February. Since then, the leaders of the party have been demanding a ban on the Awami League.

However, interim government chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus said in a meeting with a delegation from the International Crisis Group on 20 March that the government have no plan to ban Awami League.

NCP is focusing on the demand to cancel Awami League’s registration at the moment. However, we will have to move towards banning the Awami League by going through various steps, including the judicial process. Samanta Sharmin, senior joint convener, NCP.

The NCP condemned the statement from the chief adviser in a press conference the next day. It has been learnt that the party has moved away from its demand to ban Awami League through an executive order. Instead they will be demanding cancellation of Awami League’s registration with the election commission (EC).

Sources in the party say the party does not want Awami League to get any chance to become active in politics ever again. They are also against giving Awami League any chance to participate in the upcoming polls.

They believe it would take time to ban Awami League through a proper judicial process. Therefore their registration has to be cancelled to close down their opportunity to participate in the next polls.

The NCP leaders feel it would be difficult for them to change the government’s stance in this regard as Dr Yunus has said that his government has no plan to ban the Awami League. However, it is possible to cancel Awami League’s registration through putting pressure on the government.

Preferring not to be named, a NCP leader told Prothom Alo that their stance on their demand to ban the Awami League through an executive order has changed a little. The main reason behind the change is the United Nations (UN) report which recommended not to ban any political party. Following that, they have brought forward the demand to revoke the AL’s registration.

The party is going to announce more programmes after Eid. The party leaders will be cautious in their statements regarding the army or the army chief.

The NCP leader feels the ban of Awami League through a proper judicial process will prevent any controversy or questions regarding this.

The party will remain active to prevent Awami League from being active in politics and any attempt to rehabilitate them.

Addressing an iftar event in Old Dhaka on 22 March, NCP convener Nahid Islam said they would foil any attempt to rehabilitate the Awami League.

In another event on the same day in the capital’s Shahbagh, NCP chief coordinator (South) Hasnat Abdullah said they didn’t want the Awami League to be banned under an executive order. He demanded speedy trial of the party.

Party sources say the NCP will announce more programmes demanding cancellation of Awami League’s registration.

Caution to talk about Army

On the night of 20 March, Hasnat Abdullah created a controversy with a Facebook post. He wrote that a new conspiracy was being brewed in the name of ‘Refined Awami League’. This plan has been hatched entirely by India. He mentioned that one such proposal was made to them by inviting them to the cantonment.

Various discussions were created following this statement from Hasnat. Later, the Army headquarters told Sweden-based media outlet Netra News in a statement that Hasnat’s post was “nothing but a complete political stunt”. Hasnat and Sarjis Alam (chief organiser of NCP in the northern region) had a meeting with the Army Chief on 11 March. However they were not invited, rather the meeting took place indeed at the interest of Hasnat and Sarjis.

The army headquarters dismissed the claim of “inviting them over and propose or pressurise them about rehabilitation of Awami League” adding that Hasnat’s statement was “extremely laughable and an immature array of stories”.

The next day, Sarjis wrote in a Facebook post that they were not invited to the meeting. They themselves wanted to meet. He also stated that he does not think that they were ‘pressurised’. Chief coordinator of NCP Nasiruddin Patwari labeled Hasnat’s Facebook post as discourteous.

Public statements instead of discussing it within the party created uneasiness among NCP leaders. Then the policymakers of NCP agreed on being cautious while talking about the army and the army chief.

Two NCP top leaders told Prothom Alo that they would not support the campaign that is being carried out for removing the army chief. For this could lead the country to more uncertainties. However, they said they will send a message that political decisions will indeed be taken by the political parties and not by anyone else.

During a programme at Shahbagh on 22 March, Hasnat Abdullah said, “Our stance is not against the army. Our stance is against those who want to misuse the army.”

Programmes after Eid

The NCP has plans for field-level programmes after Eid to counter the rumours of a military coup, ‘rehabilitation’ of the Awami League and the abrupt programmes from Awami League. However, what sort of programmes will be held has not been decided yet.

A leader of the party told Prothom Alo on condition of anonymity, “We will hold the programmes keeping in mind the demand of Awami League’s trial and revocation of their registration.”​

This is a classic by all political parties, and by NCP too. Agitation program resumes "break-ke-baad"!

Eid er porey andolon!

 

[Saif]

This is a classic by all political parties, and by NCP too. Agitation program resumes "break-ke-baad"!

Eid er porey andolon!

I hope they succeed in their movement for banning Awami 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.​