‘BNP speaks of July but keeps Awami League in its heart’: Hasnat Abdullah

National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah on Tuesday accused the BNP government of abandoning the promise of the July uprising, saying the ruling party was publicly committed to justice while quietly facilitating the rehabilitation of the Awami League.

“BNP speaks of July, but the Awami League remains in its heart,” Hasnat said at a discussion organised by the NCP at its central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka.

The discussion, titled “Justice for the July Massacre: The Gap Between Political Commitments and Reality,” was organised by the party's Committee for Monitoring Justice for the July Massacre and Enforced Disappearances.

Speakers accused the government of dragging its feet on investigations, failing to prosecute those responsible for the killings and allowing cases to become instruments of extortion and political bargaining.

Hasnat, the NCP's chief organiser for the southern region, said the July uprising had brought a change in political leadership without transforming the institutions of the state.

“We wanted the structure of the state to change. We wanted everyone to receive equal and fair treatment. But what we have seen is merely a change of chairs,” he said.

“Some have become MPs, some ministers and others state ministers. Their personal circumstances have changed, but the structure of the state remains unchanged.”

He compared the government to a vehicle unfit for the road, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman placed behind the wheel.

“Unless its engine, steering wheel and wheels are repaired, even the most competent driver cannot reach the destination,” Hasnat said.

He alleged that the BNP had prioritised politically connected businesses, corruption and the rehabilitation of the Awami League over structural reforms.

‘How many July cases have reached the charge-sheet stage?’

Hasnat questioned the progress of investigations into killings and violence during the July 2024 uprising.

He alleged that many cases had been filed against large numbers of people without consulting victims or their families, creating opportunities for extortion and financial settlements.

“I want to ask journalists how many of the cases filed at police stations across Bangladesh have resulted in charge sheets,” he said.

“We have repeatedly demanded that charge sheets be submitted quickly. Identify the actual perpetrators, file charges against them and arrange for the Awami League to be prosecuted as a political party.”

Hasnat argued that prosecuting individual Awami League leaders would not be sufficient without establishing the party's institutional responsibility.

“Has the Awami League acknowledged anywhere that it committed crimes?” he asked.

“How can there be any discussion of reconciliation without an admission of wrongdoing? Those involved in the massacre must face justice not only as individuals but also as a political party.”

Referring to South Africa's apartheid-era National Party, Hasnat called for a broader examination of the Awami League's political accountability.

He demanded the swift completion of trials, implementation of court verdicts and steps to bring back fugitives.

NCP Joint Convener Advocate Mujahidul Islam Shaheen said only 13 cases were being tried at the International Crimes Tribunal.

“We have repeatedly called for an expansion of the tribunals, but that has not happened,” he said.

Shaheen described the BNP as the biggest political beneficiary of the July uprising and urged the government to accelerate the trials.

NCP Joint Member Secretary Advocate Abdullah Al Amin MP said justice for the July massacre had become a mere formality.

“Benazir was detained in Dubai, and the government stood in parliament to take credit. But when Benazir was released, the government said nothing. It went completely silent,” he said, referring to former police chief Benazir Ahmed.

Abdullah also accused the BNP of failing to control extortion within its ranks.

“How will the BNP deliver justice for the July uprising when it cannot even deal with extortion?” he asked.

“The government says there is no place for extortionists in its party. Yet the party is full of 10 million extortionists. Remove the extortionists, and there will be nobody left.”

He said the BNP's experience of 17 years of political persecution did not justify attacks on public facilities or private property.

“Just because the BNP suffered persecution for 17 years does not mean it can demolish a health centre. It does not mean it can destroy Salman Muqtadir's studio,” he said.

Hasnat alleges corruption, political patronage within BNP

Hasnat also accused a newly influential section of the BNP of benefiting from business opportunities and political connections while longstanding party activists remained marginalised.

He distinguished between BNP activists who endured more than 15 years of persecution, lawsuits and imprisonment and those who joined the party after August 5, 2024.

Many veteran activists who suffered under the Awami League government were now being overlooked, he alleged, while politically connected newcomers were gaining influence.

Hasnat questioned the government's economic policies, saying its target of 6.5% GDP growth was difficult to achieve under current conditions.

He cited an International Monetary Fund projection of 3.42% growth.

He also alleged nepotism in the allocation of fertiliser dealerships, other commercial licences and government contracts.

The NCP leader made allegations of corruption, growing wealth and abuse of political influence against Salahuddin Ahmed, who holds the home affairs and law portfolios.

He claimed that Salahuddin's son had moved from university teaching into the contracting business and questioned the links between politically influential individuals and private enterprises.

Hasnat did not present detailed evidence to substantiate these allegations at the discussion.

Addressing grassroots BNP activists, he said many who had endured years of repression remained politically and economically deprived, while relatives of influential leaders were benefiting from business opportunities and electoral nominations.

“Our struggle will continue until justice is ensured,” he said.

“No matter how powerful a minister in the BNP government may be, they must work for the people and ensure accountability for corruption.”

National Lawyers Alliance Member Secretary Advocate Ershadul Bari Khandaker also criticised the BNP's record in opposition.

“Our biggest mistake was trusting a party that could not build a movement in 17 years,” he said.

He added that statements by Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed gave him little confidence that the government intended to deliver justice for the July massacre.

Victims' families demand justice as concerns grow over fugitives

The discussion also heard complaints from victims' families and injured protesters about delays, questionable investigations and the failure to bring convicted individuals into custody.

NCP Joint Member Secretary Advocate Humaira Noor alleged that some dishonest police officers had been assigned to investigate cases related to the July massacre.

“Some unscrupulous police officers have been given responsibility for investigating the July massacre cases. They are traitors,” she said.

She referred to a recent verdict in which all seven convicted individuals remained fugitives.

“For God's sake, recognise your responsibility to the blood of the martyrs. Be sincere in your efforts to deliver justice,” she told tribunal officials and investigators.

Sabrina Afroz Sebonti, sister of July uprising victim Mahmudur Rahman Saikat, expressed dissatisfaction with the punishment handed down to former Inspector General of Police Abdullah Al Mamun.

Referring to verdicts against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Abdullah Al Mamun, she said the former police chief's punishment was inadequate.

“The punishment given to Abdullah Al Mamun is in no way sufficient,” she said.

“We want to see concrete steps to implement the death sentences. The government must provide us with specific updates.”

Sebonti also warned against indiscriminately naming people as defendants in cases related to the uprising.

“In many cases, people who are not guilty have also been accused,” she said.

“I want justice that ensures punishment for those who were actually involved in killing my brother.”

She recalled that her family initially declined to file a case after Saikat's killing because they did not believe justice was possible under the previous government.

“We did not file a case then. We filed one after August 5 because it had become possible to seek justice. We could not have sought justice from those who killed my brother.”

Md Salman Hossain, president of the July Warriors Alliance and an injured participant in the uprising, described the psychological trauma he continues to experience.

“July 19 was a Friday. I was shot and injured that day,” he said.

“If Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had to spend his nights experiencing the same trauma that I endure, he would understand why we speak so much about justice.”

Marufa Akter Maya, vice-president of the July Warriors Alliance and another injured protester, questioned the commitment of political parties to ensuring accountability.

“We want to ask every political party how sincerely they are working to ensure justice for the July massacre,” she said.

The discussion was moderated by NCP Central Organiser Advocate Arman Hossain.

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