National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Friday demanded the eradication of Awami League’s ‘boat’ election symbol from Bangladesh, accusing the party of turning into a fascist and terrorist organisation.

“We want to make it clear from today’s demonstration rally – Awami League’s registration must be cancelled immediately, and the ‘boat’ symbol must be erased from Bangladesh. Until the trial proceedings are completed, all political and organisational activities of the Awami League must be banned by law,” he said.

Nahid Islam was addressing a rally held at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital, demanding a ban on Awami League for carrying out mass killings. NCP leaders and activists from various police stations in Dhaka city joined the rally.

“Awami League is no longer a political party. It has transformed into a fascist and terrorist organization. There is no room for discussion regarding allowing it to do politics,” he said.

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He said it is unfortunate that even after nine months of the July mass uprising, there has been no visible progress in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The NCP chief said that Awami League men who were detained are released on bail and a culture of business centering the cases filed with police stations continues in different areas of the country.

“Awami League is planning to rehabilitate its grassroots activists under the shelter of different political parties,” he claimed.

Criticizing the current Election Commission, Nahid Islam said this EC was formed during the interim government after the July mass uprising, but it has not agreed yet to disqualify candidates from the “fascist Awami League” in the upcoming election. “They (the EC) are saying it's a political decision,” he added.

But the Electoral Reform Commission has clearly recommended that those who committed genocide, looted public money and were involved with fascist Awami League must not be allowed to contest the next election, he said.

“We doubt whose purpose this Election Commission is serving. Let us not forget, this commission was formed after the mass uprising,” he said.

The NCP convener also blasted certain journalists for being what he termed “allies of the fascist Awami League”.

“Some journalists are daring to ask if Sheikh Hasina has been proven to be a perpetrator of genocide. Let me be clear – you are not journalists, you are accomplices of the fascist Awami League,” he said.

He said the genocide and crimes against humanity during the July-August 2024 were carried out on the instructions and plans of Sheikh Hasina and Awami League, which has been proven clearly even in the United Nations report.

Blaming conspiracies for the delay in the announcement of the July Proclamation, he demanded its immediate announcement.

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He said the July Charter must be implemented to make fundamental reforms based on political consensus for bringing radical changes in the state structure and governance system. It (the July charter) must include a clear provision to ban Awami League, he added.

Nahid also proposed that the upcoming elections for both legislative and constituent assembly should be held simultaneously to pave the way for a new constitution.

He claimed that the state has failed to take responsibility for the families of the July martyrs and ensure them a dignified life. “The state and government must take immediate responsibility for the families of the martyrs and the wounded fighters,” he said.

Noting that NCP has emerged to build a new Bangladesh and new arrangement, he said they believe that the nation that placed trust on them will repose trust in NCP as well in future.