United News of Bangladesh

Several organisations and students from Dhaka University staged a rally on Saturday, demanding a ban on the Awami League. The rally began at 3 pm at Shahbagh intersection, where participants chanted slogans like "One word, one demand, League not come back." Shakil Mia, an organiser of the July Movement students participating in the rally, said, "All those associated with the Awami League are involved in some form of crime. Therefore, we want the registration of the Awami League to be cancelled.” He also said that the Awami League should not be allowed to participate in the next election. “Considering the wrongdoings the Awami League has committed over the past 16 years, no good worker of the party can be found," he added. Ban Awami League in 48 hours: ‘July Warriors’ Another participant added, "We demand the cancellation of the Awami League's registration, and its activities should be banned. All leaders and workers involved in misdeeds should be brought to justice." The speakers also demanded trial for those involved in looting, disappearances, and killings during the Awami League's rule. Meanwhile, "July Warriors", a forum formed by the families of the martyrs and injured victims of the July uprising, gave the interim government 48 hours to ban Awami League. They issued the ultimatum from a protest rally held at the Raju Sharok Bhaskarjya on the Dhaka University campus on Saturday.

National Citizen Party (NCP) on Friday vowed to resist any attempt to rehabilitate Awami League in Bangladesh politics. “Awami League's registration must be cancelled during the trial proceedings and the NCP is vowing to resist any attempt to bring this mafia group back into politics,” NCP Convener Nahid Islam told a press conference in the city. He said NCP wants to guarantee for the trial of the July massacre as well as all other mass killings and crimes against humanity committed by the fascist past regime. The NCP chief condemned the Chief Adviser’s recent remark over Awami League.  “The chief adviser of the interim government has recently made a statement saying the government has no plan to ban the Awami League. We condemn their statement," he said. NCP member secretary Akhter Hossen and chief organiser for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah also spoke on the occasion. Nahid said all parties concerned should remember that Awami League is not a democratic political party, it is a fascist party. Awami League was not defeated through votes in the election. Awami League as a party has committed genocide in Bangladesh through organisational decisions, he added. He said the Awami League fascist regime has been overthrown from Bangladesh through an unprecedented student-people uprising in Bangladesh history. "Genocidal Awami League Ban Movement" announced “So, Awami League is now outside the democratic framework. NCP firmly rejects any kind of discussion and proposal to allow Awami League to participate in the elections while the trial is pending,” said the NCP Convener. Nahid said the people of Bangladesh have given their final decision against the Awami ideology, party and (electoral) symbol on July 36 (in 2024). “So, the Awami League as a party and its ideology have lost all the rights to do politics in Bangladesh,” he said. During the trial of the Awami League for genocide and crimes against humanity, the political activities of the Awami League and all people and organisations allied with fascism must be banned, said Nahid. He said the National Citizens Party-NCP calls upon all the political parties and sections that are against fascism to take a united decision regarding the Awami League through the July Charter to be declared on the basis of a political consensus. About Army & Others Nahid said if a political party can carry out activities or participate in elections is a completely political decision. The government, existing political parties and the people have the authority to make the decision in this regard, he said. Nahid said the army or any state institution has no authority to comment, plan or give proposals or decisions on this matter. Such practices should not happen in Bangladesh. Political decisions will be taken by political circles, he added. NCP member secretary Akhter Hossen said the NCP would like to express a firm stance against various conspiracies being hatched in home and abroad to rehabilitate the Awami League. DU students again demonstrate demanding AL ban He said the demonstration programmes under the NCP’s leadership with participation of its supporters and well-wishers would continue across the country demanding the trial of Awami League and cancellation of AL’s registration. Akhter said the Awami League is the biggest barrier in the aspiration that was dreamt by the people on August 05, 2024 to build a new Bangladesh. “All the leaders, well-wishers and supporters of the National Citizens Party (NCP) are ready to be present on the streets so that no fascist force can be rehabilitated in Bangladesh in any way,” he said. NCP chief organiser for the northern region Sarjis Alam, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary and senior joint member secretary Tasnim Jara, among others, were present.

A group of Dhaka University students again staged demonstrations demanding a ban on the fallen Awami League (AL) on the campus past midnight Thursday. The protest began from the Hallpara area of the university at 2am and ended in front of Raju Bhaskarjya (sculpture) later. The students staged the demonstrations protesting Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus’s remark that the government has no plan to ban AL. Earlier on Thursday, DrYunus during a meeting with a delegation from the International Crisis Group made the remark. Following this statement, the students started their protest at midnight and marched to the Raju Bhaskarjya and held a brief rally. Midnight bombshell from Hasnat sparks renewed calls to ban Awami League During the march, the protesters chanted various slogans demanding a ban on the party. Addressing the brief rally, protester Musaddiq Ali Ibn Muhammad alleged that various political parties were trying to shelter the AL. He said that they (political parties) were being accommodated for political interests, but the Awami League would no longer be allowed to engage in politics. Another protester AB Zubair said, “The Awami League has taken blood. If those involved in genocide are not banned, the students-people of this country will not accept it. The Awami League must be banned for its role in genocide.” Next election will mark a new beginning for Bangladesh: Nur Zubair said, “Until the Awami League is banned, the people will not accept any elections.” At that time, they announced a protest rally scheduled for 3pm today (Friday) in front of the Raju Bhaskarjya, on the same demand.

Jatiya Biplobi Chatra Parishad has submitted a memorandum to the office of the Chief Adviser on Wednesday at 11am, demanding a ban on the Awami League (AL) and issuing a 72-hour ultimatum for action.  Six representatives of the organisation visited the Chief Adviser’s office in Jamuna to present their demand. The delegation included Anisur Rahman, political head; Md Shafiur Rahman, organisational head; Ghalib Ihsan, assistant member secretary; Abdul Wahed, convener; Fazlur Rahman, member secretary; and Sanowara Khatun, convenor (DU).  Convener Abdul Wahed said, "We were given time to visit the Chief Adviser’s office at 11am today. We submitted the memorandum, which was received by Deputy Secretary Shafiul Alam. We have given a 72-hour ultimatum. If we do not receive an assurance within this period, we will continue our sit-in programme."  Students of July Movement launch ‘Gonotantraik Chhatra Sangsad’ amid protests, clashes   The submission of the memorandum follows a demonstration on February 25, when the organisation attempted to march towards Jamuna. However, police intercepted them at Shahbagh intersection.  Tamim Anwar, a member of the central committee of the Jatiya Biplobi Chatra Parishad, said that their sit-in programme at the Raju Sculpture was ongoing. "Our demonstration will continue. If we receive any assurance from the Chief Adviser, we will decide our next steps accordingly," he said.

The women who actively participated in the July movement on Sunday demanded that Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League be banned, accusing them of committing mass killings during the uprising. They also called for a swift trial of those responsible. The demand was made at a rally held under the banner of 'Women of July' in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh in the capital. The event was organised to push for the trial of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League for the alleged killing of students and civilians during the July-August uprising. Starting from 2 pm, female leaders from various universities, participants in the July Movement, and families of martyrs gathered at Shahbagh. Sadia Farzana Dinar, Women’s Cell Secretary of the National Citizens’ Committee, moderated the programme, while speakers included the committee’s convener Nasiruddin Patwari, member secretary Akhtar Hossain, spokesperson Samantha Sharmin, and members Sarwar Tushar, Salehuddin Sifat, Dr. Mahmud Mitu, Arpita Shyama Dev, Tajnubha Jabin, Umama Fatema, Nusrat Tabassum, Tuhin Khan and Akram Hossain. The organisers emphasised the pioneering role of women in the July movement, noting that they broke the locks of halls and took to the streets. Arrange election to thwart Hasina’s “dangerous plan”: Rizvi Recalling how women stood in front of prison vans to protect their fellow activists, they lamented that despite their contributions, women continue to face neglect and humiliation. They stressed that women must be encouraged to enter politics and shape the country’s history. Nusrat Tabassum, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, highlighted the extensive participation of women in the July Movement. “But after July, I keep hearing questions about where the women of July have gone. Women still face social bullying about their image and bodies,” she said. She accused Sheikh Hasina of making women’s participation in Bangladeshi politics increasingly difficult, stating that disappearances, murders, and the establishment of secret torture cells like Ayanaghor over the past 16 years have undermined trust in women's leadership. “We are all suffering the consequences of Sheikh Hasina’s sins. If we want to bring women back into politics, the first step is to ensure Sheikh Hasina’s trial,” she added. Arpita Shyama Das, a participant in the movement, said that the women’s march in July had its roots in the 2018 quota reform movement and reached its culmination in 2024. “In this movement, women have stood against autocratic forces with sticks in their hands. Their contribution has become symbolic—not only do women know how to protest, but they can also lead,” she said. National Citizens’ Committee spokesperson Samantha Sharmin pointed to Bangladesh’s 53-year history of struggle, stressing that women have played a role at every stage. “In the political party that emerges after July, we want to see women’s leadership at the local level. Women must be ensured a place in policymaking,” she said. Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizens’ Committee, acknowledged the widespread participation in the uprising. He highlighted the role of women in supporting the movement, from active participation to providing food and tending to the wounded. “If those responsible for the barbaric massacre in July are not brought to justice, ensuring safety for anyone in this country will be impossible,” he said, adding that justice must be established and Awami League politics must be banned.