The National Citizen Party (NCP) has issued a stern warning that no national election will be allowed in Bangladesh until the Awami League is formally banned and held accountable through legal proceedings.
“If the government fails to ensure justice, the people’s court will try the Awami League,” NCP Convener Nahid Islam said asserting that the Awami League’s electoral symbol—the boat—must be permanently erased from Bangladesh.
His declaration came during a rally demanding a ban on Awami League and trial of Sheikh Hasina and held Friday after Jumm’ah prayers near the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
In his address, Nahid Islam said, “The Awami League is no longer a political party—it has transformed into a fascist organisation. Its registration must be canceled, and all political and organisational activities must be banned. If justice is not delivered, public will try them.”
He criticised the Election Commission for not acting on recommendations to disqualify Awami League-affiliated individuals. “Despite having the authority, the Commission shows no intent. They have become accomplices in deceiving the people,” he alleged.
Nahid further accused the Awami League of abusing the spirit of the Liberation War.
“After independence, the dream of ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ failed under the Mujibist constitution. In the name of secularism, Islamic culture was stifled; capital growth was hindered in the name of socialism; and one-party BAKSAL was established in the name of democracy. Even after the 1990 mass uprising, political parties failed to protect democracy, prompting students and citizens to rise again. Nine months have passed since the July uprising, yet the Awami League has not been banned—this is our collective failure,” he lamented.
He also condemned a section of the media: “Those journalists who ask whether it is appropriate to call Sheikh Hasina a murderer are not journalists—they are collaborators of fascism.”
Other NCP leaders stated that the people had already decided to end the Awami League’s reign on August 5 last year. Any attempt to rehabilitate the party will be strongly resisted by the warriors of the July uprising, they warned.
Kamrul Hasan, the father of Khaled Saifullah, who was killed during the July 2024 uprising, told the rally, “My son was shot 70 times. If the murder is not prosecuted, no election will be allowed.”
The rally was addressed by NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain and Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari.
Other leaders, including Sargis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Samanta Sharmin, Tarikul Islam, Tajnuva Jabin, Ashraf Uddin Mahadi, Atik Mujahid, Humaira Noor, Tahsin Riaz, Mahin Sarkar, Rafiqul Islam Aini, and Saifullah Haidar addressed the rally.
Due to the demonstration, vehicular movement was suspended from Gulistan’s Zero Point to Bangabhaban, leading to severe traffic congestion in the surrounding areas.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) stated that additional forces were deployed and law enforcement remained on high during the rally.