Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday ruled out the possibility of Awami League's return to politics, saying the people would never again allow the party, which he described as oppressive, autocratic, fascist and murderous, to engage in politics in the country.
"Those who shed people's blood to establish fascism, oppressed the people and committed genocide will have no place in the country's politics again," he said while addressing the concluding session of the 104th two-day annual religious conference at Al-Jamiatul Islamiah Azizul Uloom Babunagar in Fatikchhari, Chittagong.
Questioning whether the people wanted the return of those he described as fascist forces, the minister said some were trying to create conditions for their comeback.
"Those who were forced to flee the country in the face of the mass uprising will not be allowed to return and engage in politics here," he said, adding that those responsible for mass killings and repression had yet to express regret or remorse.
Salahuddin said people were united in opposing the political activities of those responsible for mass killings, despite their differences in political views and ideologies.
He also alleged that fascist forces were behind attempts to create unrest in the garment sector.
Addressing those who were creating trouble in the name of movements, the minister urged them to engage in constructive criticism. "You may choose not to cooperate with the government, but do not withhold your cooperation from the people of this country," he said.
He said it had taken 16 to 17 years to free the country from what he described as an autocratic and Islam-hostile regime.
Salahuddin said many Islamic scholars and students had sacrificed their lives during the struggle.
Citing United Nations estimates, he said around 1,400 people had been killed during the July-August mass uprising, adding that nearly 3,000 people had been victims of enforced disappearance during the preceding 16 to 17 years.
"I was also one of them. By the grace of Almighty Allah and through people's prayers, I am still alive," the minister said.
He claimed that around 7,000 people had been killed or subjected to various forms of torture and persecution during that period, while millions had faced harassment through attacks and cases.
Salahuddin said they wanted the country to prosper economically and improve the living standards of Islamic scholars (ulema) and students of Qawmi madrasahs.
He also alleged that some groups use the name of Islam for political gain, although their election manifestos contain no mention of Islamic values. “Although they say one thing, their documents and official records tell a different story,” he said.
"We believe in Islamic values. We are the party that included 'Bismillah' in the Constitution. We follow the nationalist and Islamic values introduced by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman," the minister said.
"We have built a united Bangladesh where people from all walks of life share a common national identity. We never want to see division among the people of this country," he added.