Family members of those killed in the July mass uprising have called for the Awami League to be tried and banned before the upcoming national elections, accusing the ruling party of direct involvement in multiple violent incidents, including the July, Pilkhana, and Shapla Chattar massacres.
The demands were made during a rally held on Friday at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection, where victims’ families and leaders from several political and civic groups gathered to seek justice and accountability.
Rabiul Awal, brother of slain protester Imam Hasan, addressed the rally, urging the interim government to bring the Awami League to justice for its alleged role in the bloodshed. “Trying the Awami League and banning it must be prioritized before the general election,” he stated.
Others who spoke at the event included Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the northern region for the National Citizen Party; Ali Ahsan Junayad, an organiser from Up-Bangladesh; Asaduzzaman Fuad, secretary general of Amar Bangladesh; and Nurul Islam, secretary general of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir. All echoed calls for justice and a ban on the ruling party.
A grieving mother of martyr Saim, who was killed in the Jatrabari area during the July protests, tearfully demanded justice. “What crime did my son commit? I demand capital punishment for fascist Sheikh Hasina and a permanent ban on the Awami League,” she said, urging the government to prevent a repeat of such tragedies.
The rally concluded with a unified call to ensure justice for the victims and to hold the Awami League accountable before the nation heads to the polls.
