Bangladesh Awami League Faces Counter-Protests Amid Legal Battles

Tensions escalate in Dhaka as various political parties clash with Awami League followers in counter-protests. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, is trying Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity, while Awami League plans legal action against the government at the ICC.

In Dhaka, tensions are running high as opposing political entities took to the streets in significant numbers to counter protests announced by the Awami League. Participants from groups including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the Jamaat-e-Islami, and various others gathered first, taking to the streets as early as midnight on Saturday.

Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, issued a strong warning on social media, labeling the Awami League as a 'fascist party' and stating the interim government would not permit them to protest in Bangladesh. He emphasized that any law violations would be met with full force.

The unfolding drama follows the Awami League's planned observance of an activist's death anniversary, which they intended to mark with a major rally. Interestingly, this event topics a public clash between the interim government, effective since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ousting, and her supporters.

Awami League intended to gather at the symbolically important zero point in Dhaka city, invoking memories of Nur Hossain, an activist killed in the fight against General Ershad decades ago. Subsequently, an organized protest was announced for November 10th to demand the restoration of democracy.

However, political unrest intensified, with counter-protesters pledging to confront the Awami League and even send them to jail. The interim government's legal proceedings include trying Sheikh Hasina and other leaders for crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, the Awami League has commenced filing cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the interim government's cabinet members, including Yunus, citing genocide and crimes against minorities and party affiliates.

A complaint by Awami League leader Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury is being entered at the ICC, alleging severe crimes committed between August 5 and 8. Extensive evidence, including 800 pages of documents, have been submitted with plans for filing thousands more, showcasing worsening political divide and legal confrontations in Bangladesh.

(With inputs from agencies.)