Chattogram:Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has stated that the Awami League will not be allowed to return to politics, asserting that the people of Bangladesh would never again accept the party, which he described as oppressive, autocratic, fascist, and murderous.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Salahuddin made these remarks while addressing the concluding session of the 104th two-day annual religious conference at Al-Jamiatul Islamiah Azizul Uloom Babunagar in Fatikchhari, Chattogram. He questioned if the public desired the return of what he termed as fascist forces and mentioned efforts by some to facilitate their comeback.
The minister emphasized that those who were forced to flee due to a mass uprising would not be allowed back into politics. He highlighted that those responsible for mass killings and repression had not shown any remorse. Moreover, Salahuddin accused fascist forces of attempting to create unrest in the garment sector and urged those causing disruptions to engage in constructive criticism instead.
Salahuddin recounted the 16 to 17-year struggle to liberate the country from an autocratic regime he deemed hostile to Islam, mentioning the sacrifices of many Islamic scholars and students. He cited United Nations estimates of around 1,400 people killed during the July-August mass uprising, with nearly 3,000 victims of enforced disappearance in the preceding years.
The minister claimed that approximately 7,000 people had been killed or tortured during this period, with millions facing harassment. He expressed a desire to improve the economic conditions and living standards of Islamic scholars (ulema) and students of Qawmi madrasahs.
Salahuddin also criticized groups using Islam for political gain while lacking Islamic values in their manifestos. He reaffirmed his party’s belief in Islamic values, noting their inclusion of 'Bismillah' in the Constitution and adherence to nationalist and Islamic values introduced by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, advocating for a united Bangladesh.
Source United News of Bangladesh