The Dhaka University chapter of two student organizations, the Bangladesh Democratic Students' Council (BDSC) and Inquilab Mancha, held separate protest marches on Friday demanding a ban on the the Awami League and its exclusion from elections.
Following Jummah prayers, both organizations separately initiated marches from the DU Central Mosque, also condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression in Palestine.
Inquilab Mancha began their march at around 1:45pm, while BDSC started theirs at approximately 2pm.
Meanwhile, another platform, "Azad Palestine," organized a separate protest march from the Central Mosque to the Raju Memorial Sculpture, condemning the killings in Palestine.
Inquilab Mancha joined this march after passing through the Hallpara area and VC Chattar.
BDSC also marched separately through Hallpara, VC Chattar, the Raju Memorial Sculpture, and Shahbagh Square before concluding their demonstration in front of the DU Central Library.
During the protest, BDSC called for the "prosecution" and "banishment" of the Awami League, asserting that no one should be allowed to contest elections under the party’s "name" or "symbol."
Tahmid Al Mudassir Chowdhury, chief organizer of BDSC (Central Committee), said: "In 1975, the revolutionary masses had delivered their verdict against the Awami League. However, due to mistakes by political leaders and foreign intervention, the party was reinstated."
He expressed concerns that similar mistakes are being repeated and warned that there is no guarantee the Awami League would not impose fascism if allowed to return to power.
"As long as the student masses are alive, we will not allow any form of the Awami League, even in the name of a reformed version," he added.
He further said that they (the student masses) would not allow anyone in "Kochukhet" (a reference to the Cantonment) to determine the fate of the Bengalee people.
"There is a higher power (Allah) that will decide the fate of Bangladesh. After that, it is the student masses and the ordinary people who will determine the future of Bangladesh and its people," he said.
Rafia Rehnuma Hridy, spokesperson of BDSC (DU Committee), emphasized that the July uprising was not about transferring power from one party to another, asserting that the general masses should be the true source of power in a new Bangladesh.
"Elections in Bangladesh can only be held after reforming the state, and through that process, a new government will be formed. However, no one will be allowed to contest the elections under the name or symbol of the Awami League," she said.
Similarly, Inquilab Mancha, during their demonstration at the Raju Memorial Sculpture, also demanded the Awami League's exclusion from national politics.
Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha, urged people to stand against both Israel and India, which he referred to as "Asia's Israel."
He warned that if elections are held with the Awami League’s participation, a "flood" of blood would sweep across Bangladesh, vowing that they would not allow the party to be reinstated.
"Awami League means killers," he said.
"If the Awami League is allowed to participate in elections, they will remain in power for two and a half to three years. Then, with India's help, they will conspire to seize power once again. After that, they will unleash another wave of horrific violence across the country," he added.
