Political parties are divided over the question of allowing Awami League to return to politics as some of them are ready to tolerate the AL politicians with no criminal record, while others demand a complete ban on the party for its involvement in the July-August massacre.聽聽聽聽
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday questioned why the Awami League should not be allowed to engage in politics under the leadership of people with a clean image.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Shafiqur Rahman, however, said that the people of Bangladesh would not accept the rehabilitation of AL.
The division in the views regarding Awami League鈥檚 return to politics became visible a day after the chief adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday said that the interim government had no plans to ban the party.
His remarks came when the chief adviser was attending a meeting with a delegation led by the International Crisis Group president and chief executive officer, Comfort Ero,
Rizvi, while addressing an Eid gift distribution ceremony in the capital鈥檚 Dakshinkhan area, said, 鈥業f someone who did not commit crimes, was not聽 involved in student killings and did not embezzle or launder money leads Awami League鈥攖hen why can AL not do politics?鈥�
鈥業f speedy justice is ensured, criminals are prosecuted and people then allow them to do politics, we have nothing to say,鈥� he said.
鈥楤ut those who have laundered money, those who are responsible for the killing of children and teenagers like Ahnaf, Abu Sayeed and Mugdho鈥攋ustice must be ensured,鈥� Rizvi said.
He said some people were debating whether AL should be allowed to do politics, but they were not demanding the perpetrators of mass killings be held accountable.
The senior BNP leader also questioned Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 integrity saying, 鈥業 even doubt whether Sheikh Hasina believes in Allah. Her only god is money. And someone who worships money can never serve the people.鈥�
鈥楬er relatives, her chosen individuals and certain businessmen are involved in money laundering. They must be brought to trial,鈥� he added.
Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman in a post on his verified Facebook on Friday morning said that the people of Bangladesh would not accept AL鈥檚 rehabilitation.
He urged people from all walks of life to remain restrained, vigilant and united, rising above party affiliations to play a responsible role in the greater interest of the country.
Shafiqur Rahman also wrote, 鈥楤angladesh is crossing a significant turning point in its history. After a long period of fascist rule, on July 36, 2024, the nation was gifted with a new Bangladesh by the mercy of Almighty Allah. For this, we offer countless thanks to the Almighty.鈥�
The fallen fascists are engaged in various conspiracies both within the country and abroad to destabilise the nation, he stated.
The Jamaat chief also wrote, 鈥楢t this moment, the people want to see the trial of the genocide as a priority. There is no room to think about anything else beyond this.鈥�
Besides, the Nationalist Democratic Movement in a statement
said that the interim government must take immediate legal steps to keep the AL away from elections and politics.
The people did not want to see this fascist force anymore, it said.
Noting that the NDM would be in the streets in any movement to ban Awani League, the party said that those who wanted to rehabilitate AL inside or outside the government would have to be accountable to people.
Meanwhile, Jatiya Party chairman GM Quader opposed banning AL, saying that while some individuals within the party might be bad, the party itself was not.
Speaking to journalists at his ancestral residence in Rangpur, he said, 鈥楢wami League is like a car. The driver may be bad, but that does not mean the car is bad.鈥�
Quader also said that the government was trying to hold elections while excluding 鈥榟alf鈥� of the country鈥檚 population but such an election would not be acceptable and would fail to bring stability.
Such action would only push the country towards more conflict and crisis, he warned.
Hefazat-e-Islam joint secretary general Mamunul Haque at a protest rally at the north gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Friday prayers said that 鈥楾he 鈥渢owhidi janata鈥� of this country have sent them away, any attempt to rehabilitate them will not be tolerated,鈥� he stated.
鈥業f an attempt is made to establish AL in the country, it will have to be done over our dead bodies,鈥� he added.
