Hasnat calls for large-scale rally after Jummah demanding ban on AL

Hasnat Abdullah, the Chief Organizer (Southern Region) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has declared plans for a large-scale gathering to call for the banning of the Awami League.

The rally is scheduled to take place on Friday, after Jummah prayers, in front of fountain along Chief Adviser’s residence, Jamuna.

During an ongoing protest in front of Jamuna at around 8:30am on Friday, Hasnat announced the mass gathering, inviting people from all political affiliations to join.

Earlier, a press conference was held at the same location around 8.00am.

Speaking to reporters, Hasnat stated that preparations were underway to set up a stage near the fountain, where a large crowd was expected after Jumu'ah prayers. "Today, they will see who genuinely wants the Awami League to be banned," he added.

The protest in front of Jamuna began late Thursday night, around 10.00pm, demanding dissolution of Awami League. The demonstration, led by several hundred activists of the National Citizen Party, continued through the night with periodic slogans being chanted by the participants.

Around 8.00am Friday, members of Jamaat-e-Islami, led by Shafiqul Islam Masud, Secretary of Dhaka South unit, joined the protest with hundreds of their supporters.

At around 2.00am, NCP convener Nahid Islam briefly addressed the crowd, saying, "The interim government’s first responsibility was to ban Awami League. We voiced this demand both from within and outside the government. Yet, nine months later, we are still forced to take to the streets to press for this demand."

In addition to NCP, members of various other groups also joined the demonstration. After 1.00am, several leaders and activists from Hefazat-e-Islam reached the spot, followed by AB Party members around 1:30am.