Decision to ban AL sparks jubilation among protesters
Highlights:
- Crowds move to Intercontinental despite DMP ban
- Sarjis demands Advisory Council meeting decision on AL ban
- Hasnat issues 1-hour ultimatum to ban AL
- NCP, some other political parties continue Shahbag blockade demanding a ban on AL
The interim government's decision to ban the Awami League sparked jubilation among protesters in front of the Intercontinental Dhaka today (10 May).
The Advisory Council of the interim government has decided to ban the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Amid growing protests seeking the ban, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul made the announcement at a press conference around 11pm after a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
In an immediate reaction, NCP Chief Organiser (South region) Hasnat Abdullah urged the protesters not to leave the streets until an announcement from NCP.
Earlier, protesters, seeking a ban on the Awami League, positioned in front of the Intercontinental Dhaka this evening, despite the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's (DMP) ban on holding gatherings there.
Prior to this, NCP Chief Organiser (North region) Sarjis Alam today (10 May) warned of a tougher movement if the decision of ban was not finalised in the Advisory Council's meeting.
"We want this meeting [of the Advisory Council] to decide on banning the Awami League. Otherwise, there will be even tougher movements," he said at 8:30pm addressing the Shahbag's mass rally.
An hour ago, Hasnat announced a one-hour ultimatum for the government to announce the ban.
Announcing on the microphone that as they issued a one-hour window to make the call on the ban, which was over, they were now marching to the Intercontinental Dhaka. Then, at around 9pm, they were positioned there.
Earlier, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) issued a public notice prohibiting all forms of mass gatherings and processions in the areas adjacent to the Bangladesh Secretariat and the chief adviser's official residence, State Guest House Jamuna, to maintain order and ensure the chief adviser's security.
Police barricaded the roads from the Intercontinental hotel area to the CA's residence. The protesters did not attempt to break through those, but rather, they were sitting there and chanting slogans.
At 9:23pm, Some protesters were seen standing in a line, holding hands, to prevent anyone from breaking the police barricade.
Hasnat said earlier, "Ban the Awami League. I am giving you [government] one hour. If no announcement is made during this time, we will occupy the surrounding areas of Bangla Motor centring InterContinental Dhaka."
"We are not backing down. We will leave the streets after the Awami League is banned. We will announce a stricter programme."
He said, "...Considering the situation, we will go over to Jamuna [chief adviser's residence]."
National Citizen Party (NCP) and some other political parties and organisations have held their position overnight in Dhaka's Shahbag ahead of a mass rally demanding a ban on the Awami League (AL), which was ousted from power in August last year.
Reiterating the demand, he said, "We will announce a programme shortly."
Also present at the rally, Khelafat Majlis Joint Secretary General Maulana Ataullah Amin said the movement will continue until the Awami League is banned.
Maulana Habibullah Miyaji, ameer of the Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan said they will not return home until their demand is met.
Earlier, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) leaders expressed hope that the ban will be announced at the advisory council meeting set to take place tonight.
This afternoon, IAB Joint Secretary General Ashraful Alam said, "We never expected we'd have to take to the streets to demand the AL ban. People have already shunned them on 5 August 2024. So, why hasn't the government implemented the people's ruling? Today, there's a meeting of the advisory council, and we hope they will ban the party so that we no longer have to take to the streets."
Joining the protest, IAB Secretary General Yunus Ahmad alleged the Awami League has always been a party of terrorism and extortion. "That is why we have repeatedly said they must be banned. They should never be allowed to do politics here again.
"As long as their politics continues in this country, hypocrisy with the nation will persist. The movement must continue until the Awami League is banned. In the meantime, Islami Andolon will remain active on the ground."
The Advisory Council of the interim government is scheduled to take place tonight (10 May), Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid confirmed the matter to The Business Standard, but he did not comment on the meeting's agenda.
Also present on stage were leaders from the NCP and Hefazat-e-Islam.
A huge number of new protesters gathered at the Shahbag intersection since morning.
NCP Chief Organiser (North region) Sarjis Alam and Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah joined the protesters ahead of the rally.
Joining hands with the protest, those injured in the July movement have blocked the road in front of Shyamoli's Orthopedic Hospital. As a result, traffic was halted in adjacent areas at around 4pm.
Earlier in the morning, around 100 protesters were seen demonstrating in Shahbag.
No vehicles were being allowed to pass through the intersection. Vehicles were being asked to use alternative routes.
Kazi Amir Hossain Ripon, spokesperson for Warriors of July, a forum formed by the families of the martyrs and injured victims of the July uprising, said, "We were here until 3am. After that, everyone went to rest nearby. We again gathered from 8am to 9am this morning."
"Currently, there are about 100-200 of us here. We hope that this number will increase with time. We expect this place to turn into a sea of people after 3pm," he said in the morning.
A mass rally was scheduled to be held at Shahbag at around 3pm today (10 May), as announced by Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser (south) of NCP.
Hasnat, in a post from his verified Facebook profile at 3:45am today, also urged everyone not to block any highway other than Shahbag.
"Organise rallies at the district level, but do not hold any blockades," he urged everyone.
Demanding AL's ban, the NCP began their demonstration by staging a sit-in in front of Jamuna, the official residence of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday night (8 May).
As support grew, the party held a mass rally there yesterday after Jummah prayers and later moved to block the busy Shahbag intersection.
By 10pm yesterday, the movement spread across multiple districts, including Chattogram, Rajshahi, Kushtia, Lakshmipur and Rangpur.
In Dhaka, various major points, including Paltan intersection, were blocked by the protesters.
NCP Convener Nahid Islam, in a Facebook post at around 8pm yesterday, warned that all of Bangladesh will march towards Dhaka if the government does not make a decision soon.
In an earlier Facebook post, Nahid announced the three-point demand for the government.
Supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Oikya Jote, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party, UP Bangladesh, July Oikya, Students Against Discrimination (SAD), July Mancha, Inqilab Mancha, and several other political organisations joined the protest.
The NCP also called on the BNP to join the movement.
However, BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, talking to reporters at the party chairperson's Gulshan office, said it is not the party's role to determine whether AL should be banned, noting that such a decision lies with the Election Commission and the government.
