United News of Bangladesh

Two days after NCP’s chief organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah made a bombshell Facebook post about a meeting at the Cantonment, its chief organiser (North) Sarjis Alam downplayed the issue, saying he felt no pressure regarding the ‘Refined Awami League’. “Although the Army chief’s language was more straightforward compared to previous occasions, I did not feel that he was 'pressuring the Refined Awami League.' Rather, he spoke with great confidence and explained if the ‘Refined Awami’ League doesn’t not participate, the long-term political instability and problems in the country would likely intensify,” he wrote. He does not think the way these issues were shared on Facebook was appropriate and in the long run, this could create trust issues with any stakeholder in future important discussions, he said in a Facebook post with ‘few corrections, additions and deletions from his perspective’ regarding the meeting with the Army chief’. Sarjis Alam said he does not see the Army chief's statement as a direct 'proposal' but rather as a 'direct expression of opinion.'  There is a difference between 'expressing an opinion' and 'making a proposal,' he wrote in the post. He said he disagrees with some parts of Hasnat's remarks. No compromise on question of Awami League: Hasnat There were discussions on topics like "refined Awami League, Saber Hossain, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Sohel Taj," which came in Hasnat's points, he said. He acknowledged that they discussed whether the Awami League would return, what would happen if they were or weren't part of the elections, when they might return, or whether they would return at all and how these equations could affect the country’s stability or instability. “However, the tone in which Hasnat presented in the Facebook post makes me think that the conversation wasn’t as extreme as he portrayed. It was definitely more straightforward and confident than on other days, but it wasn’t overly extreme. The Army Chief’s opinion on the necessity of the refined Awami League’s participation for the country's stability was clearly stated.” He also explained that they were not invited to the Army headquarters that day. When necessary, they communicated with the Army Chief’s Military Adviser via messages, where they exchanged some questions and answers. “As a human being, every individual or group interprets opinions in their own way. On that day, Hasnat observed and received the Army chief's statement from his perspective and shared it on the Facebook. I have some disagreement with his take on it.” Hasnat also mentioned another part of the conversation: “At one point, I said, ‘the party that has not apologised yet, has not admitted its crimes, how can you forgive them?’ The other party angrily replied, ‘You people know nothing. You lack wisdom and experience. We’ve been in this service for at least forty years, longer than your age.’” “The narrative about "Hasnat vs. Waker" is not something I expect. Hasnat’s position is different, and so is the Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman's. It is never appropriate to position the Bangladesh Army against other political parties or the people. Moreover, the mention of the Army chief's resignation in some places is not our stance." “In addition to all of this, I would like to express my personal opinion. I could be wrong, but I feel that this is the right view at the moment. During the interim government period, someone from the Bangladesh Army maintains contact with other political parties regarding the country’s overall situation. They maintain their privacy. Even though we might have some direct disagreements with the topics discussed with the Army chief, we could have discussed them in detail in our party forums, made decisions, and implemented programs accordingly.” Midnight bombshell from Hasnat sparks renewed calls to ban Awami League “Alternatively, through dialogue with other political parties, we could have taken a united stand and taken to the streets against any version of the Awami League, just as we are doing now. Or, if other political parties didn't agree with us, we could have taken to the streets alone, representing only our party’s demands. Even today, if anyone points a gun at Hasnat, we are committed to standing in front of him. But when I feel there’s a need to correct a fellow comrade’s perspective, I will do so. It was this conscience that led us to the front row when a few individuals stood against the quota system on June 6 at the Shaheed Minar. He wrote that their movement will continue against the entry of any version of the Awami League, responsible for the July genocide, the BDR killings and the killings at Shapla Chattar.  

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.