Families of deceased in political violence gathered in Shahidi Rally demanding justice for the alleged massacres like the Pilkhana, Shapla and July massacres committed by the Awami League, and to ban AL as a party.
Core demands from the rally include a visible trial of the July massacre to begin within the next 100 days and the AL to be banned through executive, judicial and political means a UN-backed investigation commission to be formed to recognise the Shapla Chattar massacre and publishing a list of martyrs.
The full report of the Pilkhana massacre commission must be published and its recommendations to be implemented and very political party's manifesto must include a clear clause pledging to try the Awami League for the alleged massacres.
The rally was organised by Inqilab Manch in front of the National Museum at 3:15pm.
Sarjis Alam, chief organiser (North) of the National Citizens' Party (NCP), expressed frustration over government inaction even nine months after the July massacre.
He said that it’s a shame that the interim government hasn’t even begun the process to ban the Awami League or cancel its registration.
"We don’t want elections or reforms; we just want justice first. If the interim government doesn’t act, it too will have blood on its hands," he added.
Families of the deceased in these political violences expressed their frustration and demanded justice for their family members.
The mother of martyr Saim questioned what crime did her son commit that he had to be shot dead in Jatrabari.
"I’m speaking as the mother of a martyr; the Awami League must never again be allowed to do politics in this country,” she added.
Shafiqul Islam, brother of martyr Al Amid from the Shapla massacre, said that he pulled his brother’s lifeless body out from a pile of twenty.
"If this brutality isn’t enough to bring justice, what is,” he added.
Ali Ahsan Mohammad Junaed, the chief organiser of United People's Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), declared that those who fired from helicopters and murdered more than two thousand students, injuring over thirty thousand, have lost the moral and legal right to exist as a political entity.
"Awami League must play politics over our blood if they must—but we will not allow it,” he added.
Barrister Asaduzzaman Foad, general secretary of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), labeled the Awami League and its 14 party allies as “A Living Mafia,” comparing them to the banned Nazi party of Germany.
“The fate of Awami League will be decided by the families of 1,400 martyrs,” he said.
“The trial of the July massacre must begin with a public inquiry. But the interim government continues to disappoint,” he added.
