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Home Minister Salah Uddin Ahmed, also a member of the BNP Standing Committee, has said the Awami League has no future in Bangladesh’s politics, adding that the party will soon face trial as an organisation.
“The Awami League has met its political death. Its burial has taken place in Delhi. It will no longer be able to do politics in Bangladesh,” he said while addressing a memorial programme for those killed during the July Movement on Saturday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital.
The event, organised by the July 24 Martyrs’ Family Society and Amra July Joddha, was attended by injured July Movement participants and family members of those killed. It was chaired by State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Engineer Ishraq Hossain, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended as the chief guest.
Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Sumon, Law Minister Asaduzzaman and Chief Whip of the National Parliament Nurul Islam Moni also addressed the programme as special guests.
Referring to the July killings, Salah Uddin alleged that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina had shown no remorse despite what he described as the massacre and the burning of bodies. He claimed that she continues to label protesters as militants and make inflammatory remarks against them, while Awami League leaders living abroad are still attempting to incite unrest.
The home minister urged all political forces to remain united over the ideals of the July Movement and called on the public to give the government time to implement its objectives and strengthen the country’s economy.
He also said that both he and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman were living in exile during the movement, adding that the uprising might not have succeeded had they not been abroad. According to him, they worked behind the scenes to support what he described as a student-led, non-partisan movement and helped unite people from both political and non-political backgrounds.
Salah Uddin warned against exploiting the spirit of the July Movement for political or personal gain.
“There should be no business in the name of the July spirit,” he said. “The commercialisation of any political ideal has never produced positive outcomes. This spirit should remain above partisan politics and be used for the welfare of the country.”
He called on the nation to move forward by upholding the aspirations and ideals of the July Movement, saying their implementation would help the country achieve its desired goals.
The minister also revealed that he and Tarique Rahman spent many sleepless nights coordinating organisational efforts during the movement while maintaining its non-partisan character.
“That is part of the story behind the scenes,” he said.
He concluded by urging the public to remain vigilant against what he described as the “fallen autocratic regime.”
