On Sunday, opposing political factions of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina successfully impeded the Awami League’s intentions to convene a rally in Bangladesh’s capital. This gathering was perceived as an initial attempt by Hasina’s party to reestablish its presence on the public stage, following her departure from the nation in August amid widespread civil unrest.The planned rally in Dhaka aimed to honor the memory of a party activist whose demise on November 10, 1987, had incited significant protests against the then-military autocrat, H.M. Ershad. These demonstrations ultimately culminated in his removal from power, bringing an end to his nine-year tenure in 1990.
The day is observed as Democracy Day when Bangladesh switched from a presidential system to parliamentary model , a key moment that made Prime Minister Hasina and her political adversary the former Bangladeshi Premier : Khaleda Zia as the nation’s most prominent political leaders . On Sunday supporter’s of Zia’s party which is Hasina’s main political rival along with the members of Jamat E Islami took to the streets of the National Capital of Dhaka, occupying substantial portions of the designated venue for the rally
Several groups encompassing a multitude of students demonstrators, declared their intent to stop Sheikh Hasina’s supporters from congregating and convening a rally on the thoroughfares. The protestors said that they think Hasina’s party was trying to make a comeback by organising a public gather in Sunday. Members of the Anti Discrimination Student Movement, an influential collective that led the widespread civil unrest in the months of July and August aggressively preyed for supporters of Hasina.
Groups of individual gathered en masse surrounding the Awami League party headquarters proximate to Noor Hossain Square in Dhaka, where supporters of Hasina were supposed to gather for the rally. Despite stringent security measures in the vicinity, eyewitnesses and media reports direct that demonstrators targetted many of Hasina’s supporters and physically assaulted them when they attempted to reach there and chanted slogans extolling the ousted leader.
The Awami League party claimed that many members of their caste were apprehended by the law enforcement authorities amidst a series of assault. The political tensions heightened throughout Sunday with Anti-Hasina demonstrators resolutely saying that they wouldn’t allow the party to hold any public gathering under any conditions.
On Sunday, the Awami League disseminated various videos via Facebook depicting scenes of its supporters being subjected to physical aggression. The party’s headquarters, previously vandalized after Hasina’s downfall on August 5, stood desolate and showed evident signs of damage. Beyond its confines, control had shifted to the hands of Hasina’s adversaries.It’s important to note here that the interim government led by Md. Yunus indicated it’s intention to pursue the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and her inner circles citing allegations of crimes against humanity.
