Staff Reporter:
Even 100 days, or three months, after losing power amid the student-led mass uprising, the Awami League (AL) still considers it a conspiracy, with party leaders showing no remorse for their actions.
In particular, the party has yet to officially express regret or take responsibility for the use of force and the loss of life during the suppression of the July-August student movement.
Awami League leaders claim that the cases being filed against party figures, including Sheikh Hasina, and the demand to ban the party’s politics, are all part of the same conspiracy.
However, analysts suggest that even if the current government falters, it will be difficult for the Awami League to make a comeback without an apology to the people, according to a BBC Bangla report.
The report notes that while the party is trying to regain its footing, Awami League leaders have no plans to launch any anti-government movement for now. Instead, they are biding their time, watching how long the interim government can maintain public support amid growing frustration over issues like high inflation and deteriorating law and order.
The ‘planned conspiracy’ theory
From the very outset, Awami League has characterised the recent uprising as a ‘planned conspiracy’. The then-Prime Minister and Awami League President, Sheikh Hasina, was the first to use the term “conspiracy” following the violent turmoil sparked by the student-led agitation for quota reform last July.
Three months after losing power, Awami League continues to insist on this narrative.
Party Joint General Secretary AFM BahauddinNashim said, “That it (the mass coup) was a planned conspiracy is gradually becoming clearer in the words and actions of the Yunus government. The chief adviser of the government himself has admitted that.”
The Awami League believes foreign forces, alongside the BNP-Jamaat, played a role in turning the students’ movement into an anti-government uprising. The party also refuses to take full responsibility for the casualties during the July-August protests.
BahauddinNashim added, “From the beginning, we’ve said there was a third party involved in this movement, whose bullets have killed ordinary people.”
He also pointed to the admission of former Home Affairs Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, who confirmed that the Seven Point Six Two Rifles used in the attacks are not part of Bangladesh Police’s arsenal. “However, ordinary people were shot with these bullets,” he said.
‘There were some mistakes’
While Awami League has not admitted to any wrongdoing over the events of the past few months, top leaders have acknowledged some errors during their extended time in power.
BahauddinNashimsaid, “Awami League is not a party from heaven. We are all human, so it is natural that things can go wrong while running the country. There were some mistakes.”
He added, “We are currently engaged in self-criticism. We want to learn from the mistakes we’ve made and move forward.”
‘Forced into hiding’
After Sheikh Hasina left power and went to India, Awami League leaders and activists found themselves disoriented and under attack. Offices, homes, and business establishments associated with the party came under assault.
Consequently, many Awami League figures claimed they had no choice but to go into hiding for their own safety.
Former State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said, “Baseless cases have been filed against our leaders and activists at various levels. Hundreds of Awami League leaders and activists have been killed in attacks over the last four months. We’ve already started gathering information about the injured and the dead.”
Trying to recover from disaster
Awami League is attempting to recover from the political disaster it has faced. Sources claim that a network of contacts has been established between leaders in hiding both within the country and abroad. The party is also showing signs of activity on its official Facebook page and X (formerly Twitter).
What is the future plan?
For now, re-organising the party is Awami League’s main priority. BahauddinNashim stated, “At this moment, we have no plan to launch a major anti-government movement. Depending on the situation, we will organise whatever kind of programme is necessary for the people.”
What analysts are saying
Political analysts believe that Awami League will struggle to make a return to politics unless it acknowledges its mistakes and issues an apology.
Political commentator Mohiuddin Ahmad said, “If they ask for forgiveness, the people of this country will forgive them. But the reality is, Awami League has not yet apologised, and it doesn’t seem likely to do so. If they ask for forgiveness, their politics as it currently exists will be over.”
