Delhi concerned over ban on AL activities

India has expressed concerns over the ban imposed by the interim government on the activities of Bangladesh Awami League.

Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said: "The ban on the Awami League without due process is a concerning development."

He said this during a regular media briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after the interim government issued a gazette notification in this regard.

He said that as a democracy, India is naturally concerned at the "curtailment of democratic freedoms and shrinking political space."

"We strongly support the early holding of free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh," the MEA spokesperson added.

The government has issued a gazette notification banning all activities of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated organisations under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) completes the trial of the party’s leaders and activists.