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Leaders and activists of various political and civil society groups on Friday demanded a ban on the Awami League and ensuring justice for state-led atrocities, including the July, Pilkhana, and Shapla Square massacre.

The rally, organised by the Inqilab Mancha was held in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh demanding justice for the July, Pilkhana, and Shapla Chatwar Massacres, and putting a ban on AL.

Sarjis Alam, chief organiser (Northern Region) of the National Citizen Party, at the rally accused the interim government of using the West’s ‘perspective’ as a pretext to avoid banning AL.

‘Every time we raise the demand to ban AL, they take shelter behind the Western narrative,’ said Sarjis, adding, ‘But where were the Western perspectives when thousands were killed at Shapla Square, Pilkhana, or during the July uprising?’

He stated that the demand to ban AL was expected to be fulfilled by August 2024 and warned political parties not to ignore the anger of the younger generation.

‘This generation, if provoked, will rise against any power and drag them down,’ Sarjis said adding that ‘reform or elections, you should stop playing this game and ensure justice.’

Asaduzzaman Fuad, general secretary of AB Party, called on the government to follow international precedents in permanently banning all fascist political organisations.

‘The interim government must take decisive steps to permanently ban AL,’ he added

Rifat Hawlader, who lost a leg during the July uprising, vowed continued resistance, saying that ‘As long as I live, I will fight against the rehabilitation of the AL.’

Another protester, Imdadul, who sustained injuries in his eyes and legs, said ‘It pains me when I see the hyenas of AL marching on the streets. Anyone attempting to rehabilitate them will face justice in Bangladesh.’

The mother of Shaheed Sayem, who was killed on July 19 in Jatrabari, said ‘They shot my son like a bird. Even after nine months, no justice has been served. I demand Sheikh Hasina to be brought to trial and hanged on the soil of Bengal.’

The widow of Major Tanvir, who was killed in the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, also said ‘I have never found my husband’s body. For 16 years, we have lived in agony due to AL.’

Ali Ahsan Junayed, founder of United Peoples Bangladesh, said that ‘AL will never return to politics while we live. We were not afraid in July, and we will not be silenced now. The government must act fast to ban them.’

Demanding immediate ban of AL, Nurul Islam Saddam, secretary general of Islami Chhatra Shibir said ‘The interim government has failed to deliver justice for any of the killings of the past 16 years.’

Inqilab Mancha issued several demands at the rally, including visible trial proceedings of the July massacre within the next 100 days, executive order banning the AL, state recognition of the Shapla Square massacre and UN-backed release of a verified list of martyrs, public release of the full report on the Pilkhana carnage, inclusion of a clear clause in all political parties’ manifestos regarding full prosecution of the AL.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, said that Inqilab Mancha would launch mass campaigns across all 64 districts in the next 100 days.

If the government fails to respond effectively, a ‘March for Bangladesh’ programme will be held on August 5 culminating in a siege of the Bangladesh Secretariat, he said.