Mahmudur Rahman, the editor of Amar Desh, has presented a seven-point demand to the interim government of Bangladesh, including the request ban the Bangladesh Chhatra League as a terrorist organization within the next week.
He made these demands during a press conference with journalists at the National Press Club on Sunday.
His first demand is the formation of a commission for the treatment and rehabilitation of protesters injured in the July uprising, both in the country and abroad.
He proposed four members for this commission: the Health Adviser, the Finance Adviser, the current Public Works Adviser, Adilur Rahman Khan, due to his experience in human rights, and Mahfuz Abdullah as a representative of the younger generation and for his connection with the Chief Advisor.
Rahman reiterated his demand for the Bangladesh Chhatra League to be designated as a terrorist organization within this week. He alleged that the Chhatra League has been responsible for most of the terrorist activities in Bangladesh over the past 16 years.
If this demand is not met, he said he plans to protest in the streets.
He also called for the Jamuna Bridge to be renamed the Abu Sayeed Bridge to commemorate his sacrifice during the July uprising.
His fourth demand is to make public all treaties with India since 2009 and to form a commission to review them. He stressed that this commission should consist of patriots and should exclude anyone aligned with fascist sympathizers.
Rahman also demanded that Bangabandhu Avenue be renamed Abrar Avenue. He stated, "This revolution started with his death. The revolution against Indian hegemony began with him."
Regarding Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said: "Those who admire Sheikh Mujibur Rahman should remember that he was the leader of the first dictatorship in independent Bangladesh."
"In a fascist-free Bangladesh, nothing should be named after any icon of fascism," he added.
"We view Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as an icon of fascism, and if anyone is responsible for this, it is Sheikh Hasina. Over the past 16 years, she has established Sheikh Mujib as the symbol of fascism."
His sixth demand is to withdraw Bangladesh’s nomination of Sayma Wazed Putul for the World Health Organization.
He also called for a committee under the Appellate Division to investigate the alleged murders of Brig. Gen. Rahim and Nasiruddin Pintu in prison.
In addition to these demands, Rahman remarked that his reporting on the Skype scandal marked a milestone in investigative journalism in Bangladesh. He said, "Reporters of the Watergate Scandal were awarded the Pulitzer Prize, yet I was sent to jail, and my colleague had to flee the country."
He also criticized The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam for one of his editorials and took issue with Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya and Iftekharuzzaman.
