Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer (Southern Region) of the National Citizen Party, has said that on August 5, the army stood by students and the people, emphasizing that the army will never go against the public as it is a state institution whose integrity should never be questioned, also urging caution to avoid turning the people against the army.
He made these remarks while addressing an iftar and prayer gathering organized by the Kasba upazila branch of the National Citizen Party on the grounds of Kasba Women's Degree College in Brahmanbaria, honoring the families of the martyrs and injured from the July uprising, reports Bangla Tribune.
Hasnat said: "The army is a symbol of the country's independence and sovereignty. On August 5, the army aligned itself with the anti-Awami League stance alongside the students and the public. I would like to urge the army not to take any position against the people. We do not have any negative outlook towards any state institution. I vow that we will rebuild the institutions destroyed by the Awami League as people’s institutions with your help."
He continued: "Everyone must remain alert and cautious to prevent anyone from turning the public against the army or state institutions. Every state institution is the property of the people, and we will reform them to serve the people."
He criticized the governance of the Awami League, likening it to the period of "Jahiliyyah" (pre-Islamic ignorance) due to its chaos, forced disappearances, killings, and oppression, saying these practices continue under the Awami League rule.
He stated that the Awami League lost its right to rule after August 5.
He stressed that it is time to bring justice for the mass killing committed by the Awami League and questioned how much justice has been served for these crimes.
Hasnat further said that the public needs clear answers on when the trials of the Awami League leaders will take place.
He demanded the cancellation of the Awami League's registration as a political party, calling for its permanent ban through legal processes. He also urged the chief adviser to revoke the party’s registration at the earliest.
