Azam Khan
The slogan “Awami League has no place in Golam Azam’s Bengal” is now being heard at Shahbagh. However, the real issue is not whether the Awami League has a place—it is that in this Bengal, seemingly only Jamaat-BNP will be allowed any place.
There have been 19 assassination attempts on Sheikh Hasina, including the August 21 grenade attack. In contrast, no such attempt has ever been made on Khaleda Zia’s life. Jamaat-e-Islami was revived under Ziaur Rahman after the Liberation War, and many freedom fighter officers were removed from the military to reinstate those who had returned from Pakistan.
While power transitions are a part of politics, what’s alarming is that after being banned during the war, today’s followers of Golam Azam want to ban the Awami League. Then, Hindus and Awami League supporters were targets. Now, the same playbook seems to be returning.
Recent events, especially those in July and August, suggest an international conspiracy with local collaborators. Moves such as the corridor deal and simultaneously provoking China, Myanmar, and India hint at an effort to destabilize Bangladesh. The alleged goal: to avenge a past defeat by eliminating Bangladesh’s existence.
Writer: Blogger and Activists