AL used Ganajagaran Mancha to establish mob culture in Bangladesh: Mahmudur Rahman
He alleges the movement was designed to suppress political opposition
The Awami League, with the backing of a foreign power, created a mob culture in Bangladesh through the Ganajagaran Mancha in Shahbagh in 2013, Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman said today (15 September).
The movement was designed to suppress political opposition, with Sheikh Hasina spearheading the effort, he said in his testimony before the International Crimes Tribunal-1.
"After consolidating dominance over the military and the judiciary, Hasina focused on suppressing opposition and Islamic parties were specifically targeted," he said, appearing as the 46th witness of the case concerning crimes against humanity committed during July–August.
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Describing the 2024 July uprising as the fall of the "most despotic fascist ruler" in Bangladesh's history, Mahmudur said the fascist system had been established through meticulous planning involving local politicians and a foreign power.
The tribunal case also names former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun as accused. Al-Mamun has testified as a state witness, while Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan remain absconding.
In his testimony, Mahmudur claimed that Hasina, after assuming power in 2009, sought to weaken the military to pave the way for a fascist regime. He alleged that a planned mutiny in the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) was orchestrated within two months of her taking office, with direct involvement of her close associates, including former Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.
Mahmudur added that despite evidence linking Taposh to the BDR killings, he was never brought to trial.
He also claimed that Hasina harboured animosity towards the military, dating back to the fall of BAKSAL, and that familial hostility towards the armed forces influenced her policies.
He cited Anthony Mascarenhas' book "Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood", noting that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had opposed the creation of a "monstrous" military, a sentiment that persisted in Hasina's approach.
Regarding the 2013 Shahbagh protests, Rahman alleged that the Ganajagaran Mancha, under government guidance, organised demonstrations demanding death sentences for political opponents rather than justice.
He compared the tactics to historical fascist strategies, citing Hitler's Germany as a precedent for creating a "public enemy" to mobilise mass support.
Mahmudur said the then-government directed officials from the Secretariat to support the protests, with Hasina personally present and praising participants as freedom fighters.
He also claimed that India offered full backing, with then-President Pranab Mukherjee expressing willingness to publicly support the Shahbagh demonstrators.
He further said that when the protests revealed an anti-Islam stance, the rise of Hefazat-e-Islam emerged in response. Media and businesses owned by dissenting voices were also targeted, demonstrating a pattern of fascist control, Rahman said.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, in a press briefing, indicated that the tribunal would conclude the case after taking the testimonies of a few remaining witnesses against the accused.
