Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday claimed that the Awami League has suffered a complete political collapse, saying the party has been “destroyed and eliminated” and is now “buried in Delhi”.
He further said the party would no longer be able to take part in Bangladesh’s political process in the future.
He made the remarks at a discussion programme of the July National Conference-2026, marking the second anniversary of the July Revolution.
The event was held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre under the joint initiative of the July ’24 Martyrs’ Families Society and the Central Executive Committee of Amra July Joddha (We Are July Fighters). Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the programme as the chief guest.
Referring to the July events, the Home Minister said that, while UN reports mentioned 14,000 cases, only 700 to 800 were recorded in official reports and surveys, questioning the whereabouts of the remaining victims.
He alleged that due to poor record-keeping in hospitals, many victims had been buried as unclaimed bodies and could no longer be traced by their families.
“There has been no apology from mass murderer Sheikh Hasina after such brutal killings and genocide,” he said, adding that the July fighters were being labelled as criminals and the uprising as militancy.
He further claimed that Awami League leaders were now abroad and “conspiring against the democratic government in Bangladesh”.
“There is no apology within the Awami League. They are sitting abroad and conspiring,” he said. “The Awami League has fallen politically; it has been destroyed and eliminated. It has been buried in Delhi. That Awami League will never be able to do politics in Bangladesh again.”
‘Trial of Awami League underway’
The home minister said there was growing demand for the trial of the Awami League as a political party, adding that investigations were ongoing and that the matter would soon go to trial.
He said the law had been amended under Article 47 of the Constitution and incorporated into the Anti-Terrorism Act and the ICT Act, allowing political parties to be tried.
“Wait, it will go to trial,” he said.
Salahuddin also warned that those allegedly exploiting the spirit of the July Revolution for political gain would face consequences.
“I request organisers that none of us should profit from the spirit of July,” he said, adding that political groups attempting to “sell” the movement’s legacy would be held accountable.
Drawing parallels with history, he said those who “sold the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War” were now “in Delhi”, and warned against using national movements for political advantage.
“We will preserve the history of the great July ’24 mass uprising,” he added.
‘Behind-the-scenes accounts’ and exile claim
The home minister also said he and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had both been in exile, claiming that the uprising would not have been possible without it.
“I would like to reveal some behind-the-scenes stories today,” he said.
Status of trials
He said five genocide and crimes against humanity cases had already been decided, while 27 cases were under trial and 72 were at the final stage of investigation.
He also referred to the recent verdict involving Hasanul Haq Inu, saying the complainant was dissatisfied with a 10-year sentence and planned to appeal for a harsher punishment.
“We can hope justice will be delivered so that maximum sentences are ensured,” he said.
The programme was chaired by Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni.
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, State Minister Ishraq Hossain, Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atiqur Rahman Rumon, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib, President of Private Universities Student Party Abu Huraira, President of Qawmi Student Forum Maulana Jamil Siddiqui, and President of ‘Amra July Joddha’ Aminul Islam Emon also spoke at the event.
Family members of those killed during the July Revolution also shared their recollections, including Abu Hossain, brother of martyr Abu Sayed; Abul Hossain, father of martyr Shahriar Hossain Alvi; Fatematuzzohra, mother of martyr Abdullah bin Zahid; Shafiul Alam, father of martyr Wasim Akram; and Abdur Rab Mia, father of martyr Miraj Hossain of Jatrabari.
