No Power in Bangladesh Can Ban Awami League: Arafat

In response to a question on whether the Awami League will apologise to the nation for the July massacre, Mohammad A. Arafat stated, “Will they apologise for all the killings that took place after 5 August? Will they seek forgiveness for the murders of Tofazzal, Masud, and Rajib? I have said before that any incident that occurred during our time in power carries a degree of responsibility for us because we were the government. We have acknowledged this responsibility.”

Speaking to an international media outlet, former State Minister for Information Mohammad A. Arafat recently commented on the future leadership of the Awami League and the party’s status following its removal from power in the student-led uprising on 5 August 2024.

On Friday (21 March) night, he conveyed these remarks over the phone to the international media outlet Deutsche Welle.

Arafat stated that the Awami League would not participate in any elections under the interim government led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.

He further added, “The Awami League attempted to bring the July-August massacre under a judicial process. We formed a commission. Yet, they are not even prosecuting the killings that took place until 5 August. Instead, they are using it politically. This must be brought to justice.”

Addressing demands to ban the Awami League, Mohammad A. Arafat remarked, “There is no power in Bangladesh that can ban the Awami League. The Awami League gave birth to this country. It has a presence in every corner of Bangladesh. There is no force in Bangladesh capable of banning the Awami League. In Bangladesh, it is the war criminals, the pro-Pakistani elements, and their ideological remnants who will be banned—not the Awami League. A nation cannot ban the very party that gave birth to it.”