Awami League rejects ban by Bangladesh, to continue operations

DHAKA/NEW DELHI: Bangladesh’s deposed PM Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League on Sunday rejected “with disgust” the interim govt’s decision to ban the party and vowed to continue its operations despite the restriction.The Muhammad Yunus-headed interim govt’s council of advisers or the cabinet on Saturday night slapped a ban on “all activities of Awami League”, including in cyberspace, under an anti-terrorism law. Reacting to the move, Awami League said, “We are rejecting and protesting the fascist autocrat Yunus govt’s decision with disgust… Awami League will carry on its activities in an appropriate course, defying the decision of the fascist Yunus govt.” The party expressed regret that “independent Bangladesh” had to witness the ban by an “undemocratic fascist” govt that runs the country “without people’s mandate”, while the country “earned independence and sovereignty under Awami League’s leadership”. “We strongly believe people of Bangladesh will deliver a resounding response to this reckless decision by the Yunus regime.”Awami League also called upon all democratic states, institutions, and leaders around the world to denounce the move. Earlier, Yunus’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam said the democratic world was unlikely to oppose the decision to ban “the shameless, killer, anti-democracy, and corrupt party”. The move came after newly floated NCP rallied since Thursday and carried out blockades demanding the ban.