Chattogram: Various political and student organizations have organized protest rallies, processions, sit-ins, and mass signature collection programs at different locations in the city, demanding a ban on the Awami League (AL).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the call for banning the AL has gained momentum as several political parties and anti-fascist groups have expressed support for the National Citizen Party's (NCP) demand. Since the afternoon, protesters from different anti-fascist political groups, including the NCP and July Oikya Mancha, have blocked the city's New Market intersection and Sholoshahar Biplob Udyan area. They are pressing for their three-point demands, which include an immediate ban on the AL, amendments to the ICT Act to facilitate AL's trial, and the declaration of the July proclamation.
In solidarity with the Shahbagh mass gathering, separate protest rallies were held in various areas of the city and district. At 7 p.m., protesters screened a documentary at Gate No. 2 Biplob Udyan, highlighting episodes of the July uprising. Earlier, at 4:30 p.m., the NCP organized a mass signature collection program at Biplob Udyan, where a large number of students and people from different backgrounds signed in support of the three-point demands.
The protesters conducted a rally under the banner of 'Anti-Fascist Bir Chattala Mancha' in the Biplob Uddyan area. Leaders from the NCP and Student Against Discrimination, including Nila Afroz, Zawadul Karim, and Emon Syeed, addressed the rally. Meanwhile, a mass gathering and sit-in program took place at New Market Square at 3 p.m. under the banner of July Oikya Mancha, where a temporary stage was set up. July Oikya Mancha organizer Md. Ibrahim and others spoke at the event.
Leaders of July Oikya Mancha alleged that no decision has been made to ban the AL even nine months after the escape of fascist Hasina. They stated that the world witnessed the brutality and indiscriminate killing of students, children, and the general populace, yet the perpetrators have not been brought to justice. The leaders warned of launching a tougher agitation program if their demands are not met immediately.