Families of uprising martyrs, injured to decide on banning AL: NCP to interim govt
It’s not just AL — their affiliated parties, civil society, media, and judiciary must also face justice. We call on every political party to take a firm political stance against them (AL), NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain says
The National Citizen Party (NCP) today (2 May) called on the interim government to consider banning the Awami League, asserting that families of those killed and injured during the 2024 July uprising are ready to demand its complete prohibition.
Speaking at a rally held near the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka after Jummah prayers, NCP Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud said, "We want to caution the chief adviser — the families of the martyrs and the injured will decide on banning the Awami League.
"Ask them — they'll tell you [govt], Awami League must be outlawed and it will happen through a united effort," he added.
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Masud further claimed, "Upon coming to power, Sheikh Hasina surrendered the nation's sovereignty to India. Thousands of students and citizens have been killed under her regime. The AL does not possess the characteristics of a legitimate political party.
"It is a terrorist organisation and must be banned."
NCP Convener Nahid Islam demanded a complete ban on the Awami League, calling it a "fascist" organisation rather than a legitimate political party.
"AL was never a political party — it was a fascist organisation. It must be banned, its operations dismantled, and its leaders and activists must be brought to justice," the NCP chief said.
The party's Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain stated, "Time and again, AL has unleashed genocide upon the people of Bangladesh. They must not be allowed to engage in politics. What stands in the way of taking legal action against them?"
He also said, "It's not just AL — their affiliated parties, civil society, media, and judiciary must also face justice. We call on every political party to take a firm political stance against them [AL]."
Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara stated, "There must be justice for the AL and all of its affiliated organisations. Until that happens, they [AL] must not be allowed to participate in the election. That is the decision of the people of Bangladesh."
Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary emphasised the need for a new constitution, saying, "Unless a new constitution is drafted through a Constituent Assembly, the lives of thousands of students and citizens will remain at risk.
"We will continue our movement across every neighbourhood, creating platforms to demand the AL's ban. We won't leave the streets until that happens," he said.
Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adib said, "If AL is once again given space in politics, they will commit another genocide. If there is any attempt to bring them back into political activity, millions of students, workers, and farmers will rise in resistance."
Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah said, "We are not here to request — we are here to declare that AL must be banned."
Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam echoed, "Our fight will continue as long as this murderous organisation, the Awami League, is not banned."
Also speaking at the rally, the party's Joint Member Secretary Faisal Mahmud Shanto said, "We want to bring the voices of the martyrs and the injured to the people. We want to make it clear that only after every bullet fired at the public is accounted for, can the issue of the Awami League be discussed."
The rally drew hundreds of NCP leaders and activists demanding a ban on the Awami League's political activities and legal action against the party.
Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin and Joint Convenor Sarwar Tushar were also present on stage.
The NCP had called for the protest rally earlier, and in a video message posted on its verified Facebook page last night (1 May), the party's Convener Nahid Islam urged people from all walks of life to join the demonstration.
Nahid said, "On 5 August 2024, the historic mass uprising of students and citizens uprooted the Awami League from the soil of Bangladesh. Yet, it is extremely unfortunate that leaders and activists of the party are still engaging in open political activities under its banner."
He further alleged, "The interim government has yet to take any visible steps to ban the Awami League or initiate legal proceedings against it. We have repeatedly stated that banning the party and ensuring accountability is essential."
"Over the past decade and a half, the Awami League established a fascist regime in Bangladesh," Nahid continued. "During this period, there have been multiple incidents of genocide, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and crossfire targeting opposition political activists. The mass uprising across the country was a spontaneous and inevitable response to these atrocities."
He also demanded collective accountability for the party, saying, "The Awami League must be tried as an organisation. Not just the party, but its front and affiliated bodies—particularly Chhatra League and Jubo League—must be banned.
"Chhatra League has already been outlawed, and similar steps are urgently needed against the remaining groups."
"During the trial process, Awami League's political registration should be revoked, and all its organisational activities banned. We are taking to the streets to ensure the fulfilment of the promises of the mass uprising," he added.
