The desire to reinstate the Awami League within a year of the genocide is dangerous, said Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Advisor to the Interim Government's Ministry of Youth & Sports and Ministry of Labor & Employment.
On Friday (March 21), he shared his views in a Facebook post, asking, "Since when have we become more inclusive and democratic than Germany and Italy? The idea of bringing back the Awami League so soon after the genocide is reckless."
Allegations of a Political Conspiracy
Earlier, on Thursday (March 20) night, Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer of the National Citizens' Party's South Region, made a striking claim on Facebook. He alleged that efforts were underway to introduce a "Refined Awami League" as part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by India.
"The plan involves positioning leaders like Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Shirin Sharmin, and Taposh at the forefront," he wrote.
According to Hasnat Abdullah, on March 11 at 2:30 pm, he and two others were presented with this plan from within the cantonment.
"We were offered a deal—accept the plan in exchange for seat negotiations. We were told that multiple political parties had already been approached and had conditionally agreed to rehabilitate Awami League. The reasoning given was that having multiple opposition parties, including a weakened Awami League, would be preferable to just one strong opposition party. Over the past two days, politicians have started making statements in favour of the Awami League in the media."
The "Refined Awami League" Strategy
Hasnat further revealed: "We were informed that those forming the ‘Refined Awami League’ would begin admitting Sheikh Hasina’s crimes by April-May, disowning her while claiming to restore Bangabandhu’s Awami League. When this was proposed, we immediately objected and insisted that efforts should focus on prosecuting Awami League, not rehabilitating it."
In response, they were allegedly warned: "If we obstruct the return of Awami League, we will be held responsible for the ensuing crisis. 'Awami League must come back,' they insisted."
During the discussion, Hasnat asked, "How can you forgive a party that has neither apologized nor admitted its crimes?"
The response was sharp: "You people know nothing. You lack wisdom and experience. We have been in this service for at least forty years—longer than your lifetime. Besides, an 'inclusive' election cannot happen without the Awami League."
Hasnat replied firmly: "There can be no inclusivity with the Awami League. If they must return, it will be over our dead bodies. If an attempt is made to bring them back, you will bear the responsibility for the consequences."
Rejecting External Pressures
Hasnat Abdullah claimed he walked out of the meeting, recalling how similar pressures were exerted during the July movement.
"Various forces—whether from agencies or the cantonment—tried to impose their prescriptions on us. But we placed our trust in the people and, together, ensured Hasina's downfall."
"Once again, I choose to rely on the people instead of bowing to the cantonment's pressure. I don’t know what will happen to me after posting this. I may face intense pressure or even danger. But there is no room for compromise on banning the Awami League."
A Call to Action
Urging unity against the Awami League, he declared: "If the Awami League is allowed back into politics, the July movement will have failed. As long as we are alive, we will not let the sacrifices of our martyrs go in vain. In post-August 5 Bangladesh, Awami League must not return—it must be banned for good."
