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India on Tuesday expressed concern over the banning of Awami League by the Bangladesh government.
"Ban on Awami League is a concerning development, said a spokesperson of the India's external affairs ministry.
"India is concerned at curtailment of democratic freedom and shrinking political space in Bangladesh: MEA spokesperson," he added.
On Monday, the government issued an official gazette notification banning all activities of the Awami League in line with the decision of the Council of Advisers.
The gazette, signed by Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani, states that since forming the government on January 6, 2009, until its ousting amid a mass student-public uprising on August 5, 2024, the Bangladesh Awami League, along with all its affiliated, associated, and fraternal organisations, established a reign of terror across the country.
This included attacks, abductions, murders, killings, torture, and rape against opposition political party members and dissenting voices. The notification further details that during the student-public movement from July 15 to August 5, 2024, the Awami League and its wings were accused of enforced disappearances, murders, burning people alive, genocide, illegal detentions, inhumane torture, looting, arson, terrorist activities, and crimes against humanity.
These allegations have been substantiated in both national and international reports. Numerous cases are currently pending against leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliates in the International Crimes Tribunal and the country's criminal courts. According to the gazette, since August 5, 2024, the Awami League and its associated organisations have been involved in attacks against student-public demonstrators, organising provocative rallies, distributing anti-state leaflets, and engaging in criminal speeches in social media by their exiled leader and other members.
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