Bangladesh: Awami League workers hold protest rally against ‘illegitimate’ Yunus govt

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Dhaka, June 16 (IANS) Calling for an immediate resignation of “illegitimate fascist occupier Muhammad Yunus”, the Chief Advisor of the interim government in Bangladesh, a large number of Awami League activists on Monday held a protest march in Dhaka and demanded an end to the “sham trial” against party chief and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The videos from the protest shared on the party’s social media page showed several party activists marching through the streets of Dhaka in support of Hasina and carrying banners that read “Hasina will come back”, “We will never accept the illegal International Court of Tribunal of Bangladesh”.

“It has been clear in the eyes of the nation over the last few months that the illegal Yunus government has killed the country’s democracy, destroyed the economy, ended education, and made the judiciary a puppet in the hands of the government. Awami League is the only force to represent the people in these difficult times,” the Awami League posted on its social media page.

“Awami League is the only party that believes in the consciousness of the war of freedom, protects secularism, and can take the country’s development forward. Others are just busy with an anti-national plot. The fight has begun, and there is no turning back. Today’s programme is not just a political event; it’s the beginning of a revolution. The whole country is looking at this programme now. Every procession of the Awami League is like a spark, which will one day spread into a fire. The struggle will continue till the fall of the illegal government in the whole country,” it further added.

The party asserted that people of Bangladesh don’t want the “misrule of robbers, corrupt, Yunus government”. It further stated that the protest in the streets on Monday sent across one message that “Awami League means the strength to save the country”.

According to the Awami League, common people have been suffering under the Yunus-led interim government since it took over in August 2024.

“I am afraid to drive a rickshaw under the rule of Yunus. Police take us into custody, and they don’t leave without taking money. If the Awami League were there, at least I would not have starved,” a rickshaw driver was shown as saying in a video posted by the Awami League to highlight the suffering of common people and show their ordeal under the Yunus regime.

On Sunday, the Awami League strongly condemned and protested the systematic persecution and killing of its leaders and activists inside prisons across Bangladesh.

The party expressed concern and outrage by the continuous and horrific acts of torture and violence being committed by the “illegal, fascist Yunus regime” against its leaders and activists — both in custody and across the country.

“There seems to be no method of repression that the Yunus-led occupying government, backed by militant elements, is unwilling to use. In fact, they are inventing new and brutal techniques of political persecution. As part of this terrifying trend, even inside prisons, Awami League members are being subjected to inhumane torture by agents of this extremist regime. The number of deaths in custody is steadily rising, as detainees are tortured to death without trial under false, politically motivated charges,” read a statement issued by the Awami League.

“Despite being illegally detained, we hoped our people would at least be safe from physical harm in custody. But even that hope has now turned into horror. To date, at least 25 Awami League leaders and activists have died in prison custody under suspicious and brutal circumstances,” it added.

–IANS

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Bangladeshi angle in Saif Ali Khan stabbing case raises political din

New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANS) The political landscape has intensified following the arrest of the accused in the stabbing case of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan. The Mumbai Police detained Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad on Sunday morning in Thane, Maharashtra, and suspect he may be a Bangladeshi national, igniting allegations and counter-accusations between political parties.

Dikshit Gedam, DCP, Crime Branch Mumbai, confirmed the arrest of Shehzad, who reportedly attacked Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence early Thursday morning.

“There is primary evidence to suggest the accused is a Bangladeshi. He lacks valid Indian documentation, and some seizures indicate he may not be an Indian citizen,” said Gedam during a press conference.

According to the police, Shehzad, aged 30, entered Saif Ali Khan’s home with the intent to rob. The actor sustained six stab wounds during a struggle with the intruder and underwent multiple surgeries at Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital. He is now recovering and out of danger.

The arrest has triggered sharp political exchanges. BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh lauded the swift action of the Mumbai Police and accused opposition parties of supporting illegal immigration.

“The BJP has always taken a stand against illegal immigrants. This tragic incident highlights the issue of infiltrators. Parties like Congress, AAP, and Shiv Sena (UBT) must stop supporting illegal immigrants,” Chugh told IANS.

Speaking to IANS, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit called for a thorough investigation, stating, “If the accused is indeed a foreign national, the matter becomes even more serious. Mumbai Police must ensure justice.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey criticised the BJP for failing to address the issue of illegal immigration.

“The BJP has been in power at the Centre for over a decade and in Maharashtra for more than two years. If such individuals are allowed to roam freely and commit crimes, it reflects poorly on their governance.,” he said.

The stabbing occurred at 2 a.m. on January 16 at Saif Ali Khan’s 12th-floor apartment in Bandra. The intruder reportedly used the staircase to access the actor’s home.

Eliyamma Philips, a staff member present at the time, spotted the attacker and engaged in a scuffle, sustaining injuries in the process. Hearing her screams, Saif confronted the attacker, who stabbed him multiple times before fleeing.

The accused, who allegedly used multiple aliases, including Vijay Das, Bijoy Das, and Mohammad Ilyas, had been living under a false identity in Mumbai for the past 5-6 months. He was apprehended in a joint operation near Hiranandani Estate, Thane, following surveillance of CCTV footage.

The accused was later seen on CCTV buying headphones at a Dadar store and boarding a train at Bandra station.

Maharashtra BJP MLA Ram Kadam emphasised the need for stricter security measures in residential societies.

“Low salaries and round-the-clock duties for security personnel compromise safety. The government will ensure the deportation of infiltrators and implement stronger security protocols,” he said.

The Mumbai Police confirmed that Shehzad, who previously worked in a pub, had been living at various locations in Maharashtra. They also revealed that he had changed his name out of fear of being caught.

The case has sparked a debate over national security and the handling of illegal immigration.

Senior Congress leader Udit Raj highlighted the rising safety concerns in metropolitan cities under the current government.

“This incident underscores the urgent need to address mafia and gangster activities operating unchecked,” he told IANS.

As the investigation unfolds, the arrest of Shehzad has put a spotlight on immigration policies, security measures, and political accountability in addressing these challenges.

–IANS

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Senior citizen arrested in Kolkata on charges of raping woman in city hotel

Kolkata, March 10 (IANS) A senior citizen was arrested on charges of raping a Delhi-based woman at a south Kolkata hotel last week, police said on Monday.

According to the complaint registered by the woman, a resident of New Delhi but currently staying in Kolkata for her job with a bar-cum-restaurant, she was called by the accused to the hotel room on March 7 evening on the promise of a job.

The victim had also claimed in her complaint that the accused, who is a senior citizen, claimed to be a businessman.

The accused is a resident of Bhawanipur, which comes under the same police station where the hotel is located.

In her complaint, she claimed after she reached the room on the evening of March 7, the accused raped her, and then threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed the incident to anyone.

She was in a state of shock for the first couple of days and decided to remain silent for some time. However, later she contacted the police and filed a complaint.

Based on her complaint, police registered an FIR and arrested the accused. He was presented before a city court on Monday and sent to police custody.

West Bengal had been in the news for the last six months for a series of reported cases of rape and rape & murder and in many cases, the victims were minors. The most talked about case in the matter was the ghastly rape and murder of a junior woman doctor of the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata within the hospital premises last month.

–IANS

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