The chief organizer of the southern region of the National Citizen Party (NCP), Hasnat Abdullah, expressed that the next Bangladesh would be anti-fascist.
He mentioned that there would be differences of opinion among political parties and discussions regarding their policies.
He added that everything would be carried out without the Awami League within the state structure, highlighting a vision of a Bangladesh without the Awami League.
He made these comments at a protest march and rally organized by NCP’s Dhaka Metropolitan unit at Shahbagh in the capital on Saturday, at 3:30pm, demanding the trial, deregistration, and ban on the political and organizational activities of the Awami League.
Hasnat said: “We are watching with suspicion—conspiracies are taking place in various places. We want to ask—now there is talk of an inclusive election, but where was the inclusive election in 2014, 2018, and 2024?”
“In a Bangladesh where the bloodstains of 2,000 martyrs have not yet dried, where the Shapla massacre has not been prosecuted, there will be no inclusive election with the Awami League.”
Mentioning those whose duty lies in the cantonment, should stay in the cantonment, he said: “We respect you. But for the past 16 years, the way you have interfered in politics through various offices and sub-offices of the cantonment has been disgraceful. In post-2024 Bangladesh, only politicians will control politics.”
Addressing the army, he further said: “Where were you? In the past 16 years, so many abductions, murders, and injustices have taken place, yet we have not seen a single general resign. Did not a single one of you have the backbone to take responsibility?”
“We respectfully urge you—we are waiting for a proper democratic transition. Through a democratic process, we want to restore a participatory election and a democratic environment after a minimum reform process. Do not stand in our way.”
Hasnat continued: “You failed to recognize the Awami League. Shaheed Ziaur Rahman rehabilitated the Awami League, and he paid for it with his life. Jamaat-e-Islami rehabilitated the Awami League, and its leaders and activists had to pay the price with their lives. If the Awami League is rehabilitated in 2024, we will have to bear that burden for the next 100 years.”
He allso said: “The Awami League was overthrown through a mass uprising. There is no historical precedent where those forced to flee due to a mass uprising are later allowed to participate in elections. The Awami League fell on August 5. That day, it was finalized—the name, symbol, and ideology of the Awami League lost the right to political existence in this country.”
“We call upon the government—so far, we have not seen any visible steps towards the trial of the Awami League. We do not want to see its ban through an executive order. If the Awami League is not tried for its crimes—abductions, murders, and killings—it will never be allowed return, not even in 300 years.”
He further said: “Even if you combine ten Pharaohs and ten Nimrods, you won’t get one Hasina. Sheikh Hasina is more terrifying than ten Nimrods. As long as Hasnat Abdullah and the NCP exist in this land, the Awami League will never be rehabilitated here.”
NCP’s Joint Convener Atik Mujahid said: “The Awami League is not a Bangladeshi party; it is an Indian party. This party cannot exist in Bangladesh. It is an identity crisis for the nation."
He added: "The word rehabilitation will not apply to the Awami League in Bangladesh. Those who speak in favour of the Awami League in any way are essentially working as its third or fourth team. The trial of the Awami League will be held in an international court.”
NCP leader Mahin Sarkar said: “We have not forgotten July. Only the force of July has the power to erase the Awami League from Bangladesh. The Awami League must be banned through judicial processes."
He added: "The party that committed the BDR massacre and the Shapla massacre must be prosecuted. The Awami League is more dangerous than the Nazi Party. It has lost its right to political existence in Bangladesh.”
