The Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has stated that the interim government has no plans to ban the Awami League.
He mentioned this during a meeting with a delegation from the International Crisis Group on Thursday, March 20. Following his remarks, social media has been abuzz with reactions.
Meanwhile, rejecting his statement, a group of students at Dhaka University (DU) staged a protest at midnight, demanding the banning of the Awami League.
In this context, Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) in the southern region, posted a long status on Facebook at around 2:00 AM.
In his post, he claimed that multiple political parties had conditionally agreed to the rehabilitation of the Awami League.
He further alleged that on March 11, at 2:30 PM, a meeting was held in the cantonment to plan a new conspiracy under the name "Refined Awami League," which he claimed was entirely an Indian strategy.
According to Hasnat, during this meeting, attended by him and two others, they were presented with a proposal to accept a seat-sharing agreement in exchange for endorsing the plan.
He stated that the proposal had already been offered to several political parties, some of which had conditionally agreed to rehabilitate the Awami League.
Hasnat claimed, "Those who will be part of the 'Refined Awami League' will, from April-May, start acknowledging the crimes of the Sheikh family, reject Hasina, and pledge to restore the original Awami League under Bangabandhu’s ideals."
He further added, "When we opposed this proposal, we were warned that obstructing the return of the Awami League would result in a national crisis, and we would be held responsible for it. The message was clear: Awami League must come back."
Hasnat responded in the meeting, "How can you forgive a party that has neither apologized nor acknowledged its crimes?" To this, the opposing side angrily replied, "You people know nothing. You lack wisdom and experience. We have been in this service for at least forty years—longer than your age. Without the Awami League, an 'inclusive' election is not possible."
Hasnat firmly stated, "There can be no inclusivity with the Awami League. If the Awami League is to return, it must be over our dead bodies. If you attempt to bring them back, you will bear the consequences." Following this, they walked out of the meeting.
Hasnat also mentioned that during the July Movement, similar pressures were exerted on them by agencies and the cantonment to accept various prescriptions. However, they resisted and placed their faith in the people, leading to Hasina’s downfall.
"Even today, I reject the pressures from the cantonment and put my trust in you all once again. I don’t know what will happen to me after this post. I may face pressure or even danger, but there is no room for compromise on banning the Awami League."
He urged, "Just as we resisted the cantonment’s prescriptions during the July Movement, if we stand together once again, we can defeat this Indian conspiracy to rehabilitate the Awami League."
Hasnat’s post has sparked a storm of reactions on social media, with mixed opinions emerging.
In a late-night call at 3:30 AM, Asif Khan, a student of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems at Dhaka University (DU) and Hasnat Abdullah discussed political tensions and potential media scrutiny.
Asif warned Hasnat about his safety and advised caution, but Hasnat firmly insisted, "Awami League must be banned!"
When Asif mentioned the risk of a media trial, Hasnat dismissed concerns, stating there was no proof against him. Later, Asif praised Hasnat’s integrity, emphasizing his respect for honesty regardless of ideology. The conversation reflects the charged political atmosphere and the firm stance of both individuals.
DU student Humaira Tabbassum Afrin, in the 'Dhaka Bissobiddalay Shikkarthi Sansad' Facebook group, recalled that before August 5, Western powers (then under Biden) had pressured the army chief, warning that any intervention in the coup would result in Bangladesh being barred from UN peacekeeping missions. She speculated whether the current statements by Waqar and the February 25 speech could be linked to Trump’s rise to power.
DU's Physics student Khalid Saifullah warned, "If BNP is involved in the conspiracy to rehabilitate the Awami League, remember this: you are engaging in dirty politics with Major Zia’s murderers. Destruction will return soon. Jamaat, if you are involved, remember that you are betraying your thousands of persecuted activists."
DU student Asif Hasan criticized former President Md. Abdul Hamid, calling him the most incompetent president in Bangladesh's history, accusing him of failing to act during the 2014 and 2018 elections. He claimed that Hamid directly or indirectly aided a fascist regime and should be held accountable.
Meanwhile, another DU student, Md Tuhin Hasan Munna, warned against military interference in politics, citing Pakistan’s example. He argued that Bangladesh’s sovereignty would be at risk if the military followed Pakistan’s path, potentially leading the country to civil war and making it vulnerable to external forces like India.
Khomenee Ehsan, founder of the National Revolutionary Council, expressed skepticism regarding Hasnat Abdullah's recent activities in the context of the ongoing political situation in Bangladesh.
In Facebook post, Ehsan noted that Abdullah has acknowledged the absence of representatives from various parties during protests against the Awami League, attributing this to military interference.
He raised concerns about Abdullah's alignment with certain political figures, suggesting that it may be linked to a broader military agenda.
Ehsan warned that the current political games and conspiracies could harm the interests of the people and cautioned against the influence of foreign agents and military factions in shaping the country's political future.
NTV's Staff Correspondent Nur Hossen wrote on Facebook that Hasnat Abdullah had been an active leader since the quota reform movement.
He described Hasnat as a skilled orator with unwavering courage, who was always at the forefront of movements against the government.
Deutsche Welle's Multimedia Journalist, Anupam Deb Kanunjna, expressed his confusion regarding the current political dynamics in Bangladesh through a Facebook post.
He stated, "I don’t understand! Dr. Yunus said the students appointed him! He also said he encouraged students to form a party! Even now, many of the current leaders of the NCP are seen alongside Dr. Yunus in the cover photo of the Chief Adviser GOB page."
Kanunjna highlighted the inconsistency in Hasnat Abdullah's actions, noting, "One adviser wrote in his book that on August 5, Hasnat Abdullah was going to 'Uttar Para' without contacting anyone. Yet, that same Hasnat is now vocal about 'Uttar Para'."
He questioned the loyalty and alliances within the political landscape, asking, "Who is on whose side, and who is against whom?"
Ultimately, he criticized the lack of clear communication among political figures, concluding with, "Everyone is warning each other about conspiracies, but no one is clearly communicating with the public. Power is truly the real honey."
The Daily Observer attempted to contact Hasnat Abdullah via WhatsApp to get answers to questions raised by people regarding his Facebook post, but he did not respond.
As tensions continue to rise, the controversy surrounding Hasnat Abdullah’s allegations and the reported cantonment meeting adds a new dimension to Bangladesh's evolving political landscape.
NRE/ST
