A group of Dhaka University (DU) students gathered at the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture on campus today, calling for the immediate ban of the Awami League (AL) and its affiliated parties.
The students demanded that the interim government take action against the AL, accusing the party of involvement in crimes against humanity, and called for a broad political consensus to support their demand.
Student leader AB Zubair expressed regret that they were once again forced to take to the streets to push for the ban of a party they claim was responsible for the deaths of hundreds. “The trials of AL leaders and their associates involved in the July massacre are still ongoing, yet some politicians are aiding the party’s return to national politics,” Zubair said.
He criticized efforts to revive the AL, stating that those advocating for its reintegration were presenting a “reformed” version of the party, despite no visible signs of repentance. Zubair also pointed out that AL members had been making threats against them publicly on social media.
To further their cause, Zubair launched a new platform called the “Gonohottyakari Awami League Nishiddhokoron Mancha” (Platform to Ban the Murderous Awami League). Musaddique Ibne Ali, another spokesperson for the platform, called for unity among all political parties to support the ban. He lamented that seven months had passed since the July Uprising, but no political party had strongly demanded the AL’s ban.
Musaddique also announced plans for a sit-in and iftar event at the Raju Sculpture on March 22, inviting students and the public to join regardless of their political affiliations. He emphasized that the platform would dissolve once the interim government imposed the ban on the AL and its wings.
