Addressing concerns about the Awami League's peace rallies being interpreted as provocations, General Secretary Obaidul Quader underscored the party’s commitment to maintaining peace.
“If there is any unrest, tell us who desires it. We have the authority, and we are not here to incite turmoil. If the BNP wants chaos, I will show them what chaos is.,” he said at a meeting in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Obaidul Quader went on to say: "We are not causing unrest. If we were to create unrest, the BNP would not have been able to stand anywhere in this city from morning to night. From morning till night, Fakhrul uses a microphone, sitting there, and utters such vile language, cursing me. Disregard my words. They are using inappropriate language to insult Bangabandhu's daughter, Sheikh Hasina. If we had sought revenge, they would not have dared to threaten another August 15 incident."
Regarding the Awami League's gathering scheduled for the same day as the BNP's rally, Quader said: "I want to see a massive sea of people. I want to witness the roar of the Bay of Bengal. Can you make it happen? I hope to see such a huge public event in Dhaka one day."
He also said: "We will not disrupt the peace. However, if anyone tries to disrupt it, there will be consequences. We have not said this for a long time. We have been patient, but there is a limit. Those who make unfounded claims and accusations against Sheikh Hasina, what should be the consequence for such behaviour? We will not incite unrest at any gathering, but if there is unrest, it will be clear who is responsible. If you choose the path of unrest, it will come back to you. The path of unrest will not lead to the Awami League. We have overcome these fears and threats many times."
Over the past year, referring to the Awami League's peaceful gatherings, Obaidul Quader said: "If the Awami League wanted unrest, it could have organized so many gatherings. As a powerful party, our members are demonstrating patience. The Awami League feels a lot of pain due to the killings of innocent women and children. Ziaur Rahman was the mastermind behind the assassination of Bangabandhu."
He said: "When Khaleda Zia's son died, Sheikh Hasina went to offer condolences. On November 21, there was an attempt to assassinate Sheikh Hasina. How do we negotiate with that party? Has any BNP leader been killed during the Awami League's rule?"
Regarding the Awami League's statement that the BNP is on the wrong path again, the Awami League general secretary said: "An uprising does not happen overnight. If you call for an uprising with a specific date, it falls flat. Those who have strangled democracy should be ashamed of their actions. Will it be the BNP or 40 other parties gathering on Saturday?"
Obaidul Quader said: "BNP leaders have already begun to arrive. They are renting community centres. Their relatives are coming from elsewhere. Who are these relatives, that is also a question. Where have all these relatives suddenly come from to Dhaka? Everyone will arrive before the 25th. Afterwards, concerns about coming to Dhaka by vehicles are less. They are all coming right now. Everyone is being called. Then 40 parties will gather to obstruct, and invade the streets. Their dreams will remain dreams. The deflated balloon will go silent."
