Senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has stated that the Awami League can no longer continue politics under its current name in Bangladesh, as people rejected its authoritarian politics during the July uprising.

Speaking at a discussion on Wednesday, he called for the Awami League to be tried for its role in mass killings and crimes against humanity. The event, titled “National Unity and Current Reality,” was organized by the Anchalik Sampadak Parishad at the National Press Club.

Salahuddin said, “The people of Bangladesh have rejected the Awami League’s fascist politics through the uprising of students and the masses, forcing them out. We are demanding that the Awami League can no longer engage in politics under its current name.”

He also criticized the interim government for failing to take action regarding the Awami League’s crimes. “We demand the trial of the Awami League as a political organization for mass killings and crimes against humanity,” he added.

The BNP leader suggested that it should be decided through the judicial system whether the Awami League should be allowed to continue its political activities in the country. He argued that the people of Bangladesh want to see the end of the Awami League’s authoritarian politics.

Salahuddin pointed out the contradiction in the government’s actions, saying, “On one hand, you want to ban the Awami League, but on the other hand, you are not prosecuting them and even using the police to block their political activities. This is wrong.”