Nasiruddin Patwary, the convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, said that if the registration of the Awami League is not cancelled before the election, the country will face a serious crisis.
He warned that Bangladesh could be driven toward a civil war.
On Friday, during a discussion held at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club to observe Autocracy Resistance Day, titled: "The Authoritarian Foundations of the Bangladesh State: Possibility of a July Uprising of Students and the Masses”, he made these remarks.
Patwary emphasized that the government, prominent individuals, and political parties should not show mercy to the perpetrators.
He urged for their social and familial boycott and a united demand for their prosecution.
According to Patwary, the only solution for the Awami League in Bangladesh is to go through a legal trial process.
Addressing the government, he said: “The Awami League must have its registration canceled on charges of murder through a democratic process, swiftly. If we fail to do so before the upcoming elections, then there will be no path left to return to the democratic Bangladesh that people hoped for and fought for.”
He also said that a new political entity will emerge under the leadership of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, one that will be centrist and free from ideological divisions and binary processes.
He urged for the construction of a platform for social unity and a political struggle for justice for those who have been injured or martyred.
This platform will demand the cancellation of the Awami League’s registration before the elections and they must unite on the streets in this cause.
In the discussion, Justice (Retd) AFM Abdur Rahman spoke about the ongoing authoritarian regime since 1972.
He said: “We have been able to expel despotism, but we have not been able to rid ourselves of authoritarianism. This is our failure. Why is it a failure? Because authoritarianism is embedded in our constitution. The constitution was drafted in 1972 with the help of members of the Pakistani Constituent Assembly.”
He added: “If you analyze this constitution, you will realize that it cannot be considered a legal document. It must be regarded as a set of written rules aimed at establishing a family.”
He further said: “We cannot remove the love for the 1972 Constitution from your hearts. If we cannot remove this affection, there will be consequences. How can you move forward if you remain within this constitution?”