‘Gopalganj is fighting for survival, Hasina will return in December’: AL’s SM Kamal

Awami League Organising Secretary SM Kamal Hossain has claimed that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will return to Bangladesh in December, saying the party is preparing the ground for her return through nationwide protests and resistance programmes.

“Bangabandhu’s daughter, Sheikh Hasina, will return to Bangladesh in December. We are continuing our struggle to pave the way for her return,” Kamal told Daily Waadaa on Sunday over WhatsApp.

His remarks came as Awami League leaders and activists held demonstrations in Gopalganj and other parts of the country against what the party described as a verdict delivered against Hasina by a “so-called illegal court”.

Kamal said the party had called nationwide demonstrations for November 14, 15 and 16, declared November 17 a Black Day and announced a nationwide total lockdown for November 19.

He said Awami League leaders and activists, along with members of its affiliated organisations, had organised rallies, processions and meetings in Gopalganj as part of the protests.

Describing Gopalganj as a district closely associated with the memory of Bangladesh's founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Kamal said residents were angry over the removal of his portraits, the renaming of universities and colleges, and what he alleged was persecution of local people.

“Gopalganj is a place deeply associated with Bangabandhu’s memory. His portraits have been vandalised, universities and colleges bearing his name have been renamed, and the people have faced severe oppression and persecution,” he said.

Kamal claimed that these developments had prompted residents to take to the streets.

“This is not a fight against the administration. This is a fight for our existence, a fight for survival, a fight to save the country and a fight to protect its people,” he said.

The Awami League leader also warned that party activists would resist attempts to obstruct their political programmes.

“We will build resistance. Wherever our leaders and activists face obstruction, they will put up resistance,” he said.

Kamal alleged that Awami League members were being attacked, beaten and killed by mobs, leaving the party with no choice but to organise street protests.

“Our leaders and activists are being attacked and beaten by mobs. They are being killed,” he said.

“We have been pushed against the wall. We have no alternative but to take to the streets. This is a fight for our existence.”

--