Following the verdict in the August 21 grenade attack cases, ruling Awami League leaders are considering whether to brand political rival BNP as a terrorist organization and patron of extremist outfits.
The grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka, on August 21, 2004, left 24 people – including Ivy Rahman – dead and more than 300 others injured. The prime target of the attack, then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina, narrowly escaped death but suffered hearing loss.
For several years, Awami League has been accusing BNP and its political ally Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of carrying out terrorist activities, as well as financing and sheltering terrorist and extremist groups.
The court has made similar observations in the August 21 attack case verdicts delivered on October 10, saying the perpetrators directed grenades at a political rally in the heart of the country’s capital in broad daylight, with the assistance of international militants and state machinery.
Judge Shahed Nuruddin of Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal delivered the verdicts.
BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, also acting chairperson of the party, and 18 others were sentenced to life in prison, while former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar and 18 others were handed the death penalty for the attack.
Near immediately after the verdict, Awami League and the 14-party alliance expressed their unhappiness as the punishment was not sufficiently strict.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader demanded the death penalty for acting BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman, and said a writ petition would be filed demanding the highest punishment for then prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia as well.
Furthermore, Awami League leaders are now considering BNP’s political eligibility and whether to brand the party as a terrorist organization in light of the verdicts. Some said BNP had already been branded as a terrorist organization by a Canadian court.
On Monday, Awami League’s international affairs sub-committee briefed ambassadors and officials of embassies in Dhaka about the present political situation. BNP’s role in the 21 August attack, and the spread of terrorism in Bangladesh and the South Asia region were among the items in focus.
Several survivors of the grenade attack who had been injured in the incident also shared their horrific experiences with the foreign officials at the briefing.
During the briefing Awami League presidium member Muhammad Faruq Khan, Ambassador Zamir Uddin, and Joint-General Secretary Dipu Moni said BNP used state power to patronize terrorists and created a safe haven for religious extremists during their tenure in power from 2001 to 2006.
They further said that BNP did not have the right to practice politics in Bangladesh given the verdicts.
The Awami League-led 14-party alliance has announced mass rallies in Jessore, Chudanga and Dhaka’s Motijhil on October 25, 26 and 29, with the aim of making people aware of BNP’s “terrorist activities,” Awami League sources said.
According to Awami League presidium member, 14-party alliance spokesperson, and Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mohammad Nasim, the newly formed Jatiya Oikya Front, a coalition of political parties that includes BNP, is part of an anti-state conspiracy.
“Several leaders, isolated from the people, are trying to get a share of power in the name of Jatiya Oikya Front and BNP. They are plotting a conspiracy against the state, but Awami League will never ever allow them to carry it out,” the health minister said.
He added that Tarique Rahman was a mastermind of terrorist activities during BNP’s tenure.
In addition to the mass rallies in October, Awami League insiders said the party’s affiliate organizations and members of the 14-party alliance will also conduct county-wide campaigns against BNP and Jatiya Oikya Front.
