Dhaka: The Bangladesh Awami League, led by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has dismissed the interim government's choice to prohibit the party's activities. The Awami League declared in a statement late Saturday that it will continue its operations.
"The citizens of Bangladesh are both appalled and enraged by the unlawful and unconstitutional announcement from the fascist Yunus government to prohibit the Awami League's activities," the statement remarked.
"We vehemently reject this proclamation from the tyrannical Yunus government and strongly condemn and protest it," the statement continued.
"Additionally, we assert our unwavering determination that the Bangladesh Awami League will persist in its legitimate activities, disregarding this ruling from the tyrannical Yunus government," the statement affirmed.
Previously, the cabinet of Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, decided to outlaw all operations of the Awami League, including those in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
"This day will unfortunately be remembered as a black mark in Bangladesh's history. The activities of the Awami League, which has led the establishment of Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign nation, have been banned in this free country by the undemocratic and tyrannical Yunus government, which lacks a mandate from the populace," stated the announcement shared on the Awami League's Facebook page.
"This illustrates how the oppressive Yunus government seeks to transform the land of Bangladesh into a breeding ground for anti-independence malevolent forces and extremist groups," it added.
"Banning the Awami League's operations on Bengali soil is tantamount to erasing the spirit, principles, and foundation of the Liberation War while allowing the blatant aggression of anti-liberationists to flourish."
"The Bangladesh Awami League is the oldest and most established political entity in this region, boasting a 75-year legacy and being an institution relied upon by the general populace. The Awami League has been pivotal in all significant victories of the Bengali nation, including advocating for language rights and independence," the statement indicated.
On Saturday, the interim government of Bangladesh made the decision to prohibit the activities of the Awami League, the nation's oldest political party.
The press release further explained that this action was taken to protect national security and sovereignty.
"The Advisory Council convened to address the necessity of protecting the country’s security, the safety of the leaders and activists of the July Movement, and the safeguarding of plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal until the proceedings against the Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders are finalized. Consequently, a decision was reached to prohibit all activities of the Awami League, including those in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act," it stated.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from office during a mass uprising on August 5 of the previous year and is currently in exile. Following her ousting, an interim government was established under the guidance of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Currently, nearly all leaders and members of the Awami League are in hiding. Despite the former President of Bangladesh and senior Awami League leader Abdul Hamid being under surveillance, he traveled to Bangkok with his wife and brother-in-law early Thursday morning.
