AL needs to banned as 'genocidal fascist party' following due judicial process: Hefazat

The Awami League needs to be banned as a "genocidal fascist party", following due judicial process, Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam said today (23 March) amid the ongoing debate over the matter in the political arena.

In a joint statement, Hefazat's Ameer Mohibullah Babunagari and Secretary General Sajedur Rahman also called on the interim government to hold the national election on the basis of a national consensus. 

"Awami League should be banned through the judicial process as a genocidal fascist party. In this regard, the interim government should publish specific strategies and plans with the support and coordination of all anti-fascist parties," the Hefazat leaders said.

They also demanded that no one be allowed to conduct social or political activities in the name of the Awami League.

"In addition, due to disguised Indian agents in state institutions, the judicial process of the 5 May Shapla Chattar massacre, Pilkhana massacre, enforced disappearances and murders and the July 2024 massacre has lost speed," the Islamist group said, calling on authorities to ensure complete justice in these incidents through further investigation.

Anyone standing in the way in this regard "will be identified as an enemy of the people and the independence and sovereignty of the country," reads the joint statement by the Hefazat leaders.

They also said differences over the national elections have become acute recently.

"We believe that there is no room for it to depend on the will of any single group or individual. Rather, parliamentary elections should be held on the basis of adequate state reforms, genocide trials, national consensus, and the spontaneous demands of the people. We will not allow our state to return to the old fascist structure and chains of slavery," they said.

They demanded that state reforms be done while "keeping the faith, religion, culture, education, and civilisation of the majority Muslim people of the country" intact.

"Consumerist philosophy based on Western and Hindutva consciousness will not bring any good. All political parties should remember that without the support of Islamic scholars, and monotheistic people, it would not be possible for anyone to come to power or survive through legitimate means," they added.

The Islamist group also called for a "reform of the Advisory Council" alongside state reforms based on its "observation of the last six months".

"The inefficiency and failure of most advisors are already visible. The spirit of the July uprising is also absent among many. Instead of working to abolish the fascist system, some are simply enjoying the chairs they suddenly got. This cannot continue for long," they added.

"Uncertainty has risen among the people. As a result, we strongly urge the chief adviser of the interim government to appoint smart and revolutionary-minded individuals to the Advisory Council, excluding those who have failed to deal with the current multifaceted crisis.

"We demand the immediate withdrawal of all false cases filed against Hefazat leaders and activists during the fascist period," they further said.