Why NCP on street demanding ban on Awami League

Since the fall of the Awami League-led government on August 5 last year, the demand to ban the party for allegedly killing hundreds across the country was one of the most sought-after topics for a long time.

The news and rumors of intense debate among the parties and also among the advisers of the interim government were also evident during the time. A debate on election and reformation drew all of the political attention towards it. So, an uncertainty prevailed in the air over the ban as well.

When the uncertainty prevailed all over, some youths led by National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders, suddenly gathered in front of the Chief Adviser's residence – Jamuna, on last Wednesday night demanding a political ban on the Awami League. A demonstration that was taking place after nine months of the mass uprising.

Activists from Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and some of the new political parties joined hands with the protesting groups.

Following the gathering they hold Jomayet Moncho on Friday after Jummah prayer and finally took stand at Shahbagh intersection. On Sunday night interim government, after holding an emergency meeting, decided to ban all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the International Crimes Tribunal completes the trial of the party and its leaders.

Why, after nine months

Several social media users and a good number of citizens raised question as to why all on a sudden the NCP and like minded party men took to the street with the demand at an unexpected time.

However, the leaders of NCP said this is not a one-day planned programme. The action was fueled by long days of disappointment and prevailing uncertainty over justice, to the martyr of the mass uprising inspired the incidents.

Abdul Hannan Masud, Senior Joint Coordinator of NCP, said: "For the last couple of months, it is evident that we, the nation, have lost our focus on doing justice to the martyrs and injured of the mass uprising. In the meantime, the authorities have failed to arrest leaders of the Awami League and its allies, as many of them left the country.

"And the latest incident where the former President Abdul Hamid left the country for Thailand, becoming the latest Awami League leader to slip out of the country after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime, sparked the students and political activists to take part in the protest."

Arifur Rahman Tuhin, another Senior Joint Coordinator of NCP said: "The protest took a serious turn when the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) and Jatiya Nagorik Committee (JNC) have called for the “Proclamation of the July Revolution” to be issued by January 15 from their “March for Unity” programme.

"Unfortunately, the demand got pressed under the political argument of the election and reformation. The role of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was much more controversial. On one hand, they were demanding a ban on the Awami League, and on the other hand, they were hindering the process."

“Seeing no other option, NCP, the force who are upholding the spirit of the July mass uprising, has to step in, and eventually the demonstration got its reward," he added.

Asked about the matter, BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that the party (BNP) supports the decision that the interim government finally decided on Saturday night to ban activities of the Awami League and its affiliates. "We have reiterated this demand in numerous meetings, rallies, and discussions. We think, to ensure justice for the martyrs and injured from the mass uprising, the Awami League must be banned through a legal process. And we are happy that the interim government will ensure fair judicial processes, unlike the Awami League did during its term."

Banning JaPa or declaring a July Proclamation

One of the three demands that the NCP-led youth demonstrated in front of the Jamuna and later at the Shabagh intersection was the declaration of the July Proclamation.

Previously, from a procession, they demanded to declare the July proclamation within January, which eventually did not happen.

With latest development they have placed the same demand again that the interim government said to be fulfill it by one month period.

However, several leaders seemed to adopt a different strategy.

Abdul Hannan Masud on May 11, through a Facebook post hinted that after Awami League, its time to take action against Jatiya party (JaPa).

Many of the supporters of NCP also took a strong position against JaPa openly.

However, Samantha Sharmin, senior joint convenor and spokesperson for the National Citizen Party (NCP), said that the government has partially met their demand. They are now waiting to ensure justice for the martyrs and bring the Awami League to trial. Besides, they are also waiting for the declaration of the July proclamation that the government has agreed to announce within a month.