“Under Sheikh Hasina’s orders, if anyone attempts to hold meetings, rallies, or processions, law enforcement will respond firmly,” Shafiqul says
Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has announced that the Awami League, deposed from power, will not be allowed to hold any programmes on the streets.
On Sunday, the anniversary of the killing of Jubo League activist Noor Hossain during the anti-Ershad movement, the Awami League leaders and activists are announcing on social media their intention to take to the streets.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, the press secretary labelled Awami League as “fascist” and said law-enforcing agencies would also adopt a strict stance against any protest processions or gatherings.
This is the first time Awami League has announced a street programme since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on Aug 5.
The deposed party, which held power for a continuous 15.5 years, has called on its leaders and activists to gather at Gulistan Zero Point at 3pm on Sunday to observe Shaheed Noor Hossain Day.
The Facebook post reads, “Our protest is against the violation of the rights of the people of the country; our protest is against the rise of fundamentalist forces; our protest is against the conspiracy to disrupt the daily lives of ordinary people.”
The party has also urged everyone to join Awami League leaders and activists in their protest against “misgovernance.”
In response, Press Secretary Shafiqul wrote in a Facebook post: “Awami League is now a ‘fascist’ party. This ‘fascist’ party has no right to protest in Bangladesh. Under the orders of ‘mass murderer and dictator’ Sheikh Hasina, any attempt to hold meetings, rallies, or processions will be met with firm resistance by law enforcement. The interim government will not tolerate any activities that disrupt public order.”
Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain echoed his statement.
In another post on his verified Facebook page around 3:30pm, he wrote: “If anyone from genocidal or banned organisations attempts to hold any programmes, the law-enforcing agencies will take strict action.”
On Aug 5, the day of the government’s fall, Sheikh Hasina flew to India with her sister, Sheikh Rehana. That same day, the central office of the party, the party president’s political office in Dhanmondi, and the Dhaka district office in Tejgaon were attacked, looted, and set on fire.
Since then, leaders and activists of the party, from the top to the grassroots level, have gone into hiding. Marches were held in only a few districts, excluding Gopalganj. In Dhaka, flash rallies by Chhatra League activists were seen late at night or at dawn after the announcement ban of the Awami League’s student front.
When asked what the Awami League would actually do on Shaheed Noor Hossain Day, a senior leader of the party, requesting anonymity, said: “The Awami League has been observing Noor Hossain Day for a long time. We don’t need to announce a new programme specifically for this day.”
“All political parties in the country observe it, and so do we. Tomorrow, on the 10th of November, we will pay tribute at Noor Hossain Square.”
The same was stated by Abu Ahmed Mannafi, the president of Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League.
He said, “Shaheed Noor Hossain Day is not just observed by the Awami League alone, all political parties in the country have been observing this day. Like every year, we will commemorate the day and pay our respects. Alongside our Dhaka Metropolitan Awami League leaders and activists, leaders from associated organisations will also pay tribute.”
When asked about their stance regarding the press secretary’s warning, he said: “It’s a national day, so why wouldn’t we be allowed to celebrate it? This is absurd. The government saying it won’t allow this or that doesn’t make any sense.”
“Noor Hossain Day is not just for the Awami League. The BNP also observes it, as do all political parties. We will also pay our respects at 3pm.”