Attempt to revive another 1/11 will fail, warns Gono Odhikar Parishad

The Gono Odhikar Parishad has warned against attempts to involve the army in a confrontation with people, suggesting that such efforts are aimed at resurrecting a scenario similar to the 1/11 political crisis.

“Another 1/11 would harm the political parties of this country the most. There is no way such a situation can arise in Bangladesh,” the party’s General Secretary Rashed Khan said today during a sit-in programme organised by its Dhaka metropolitan south unit in front of the Jatiya Press Club.

The party also called for a ban on the Awami League (AL) and the trial of those responsible for genocide.

Rashed Khan also referred to a conspiracy aimed at reintroducing the army into the political scene, invoking the army’s historic role in mass uprisings. 

“Had the army not intervened, there would have been no mass uprising in Bangladesh. When the army pointed its guns at the fascist police of the Awami League, [ousted prime minister Sheikh] Hasina was forced to flee,” he said.

He stressed the need for the trial of genocide perpetrators, comprehensive state reforms, and the announcement of an electoral roadmap. “Delaying elections is unacceptable to the people.”

“The number one reform element is the election and those advising the government are only interested in maintaining their grip on power,” Khan said, adding that attempts to cling to power by figures like Fakhruddin and Moinuddin failed because people taught them a lesson.

Rashed Khan also criticised the interim government’s advisers, stating that many of them remain unaccounted for and their roles unclear.

“We do not even know the names of many of them. The home affairs adviser has failed to address the law and order situation in the country,” he said. 

He referenced the government’s failed “Operation Devil Hunt,” where no significant figures were captured, and noted that some advisers had even bailed out accused figures involved in criminal activities.

Rashed Khan asserted that no one could engage in politics under the AL banner until the genocide trial was completed. 

“No matter how clean the image is before the genocide trial is over, no one will be able to do politics in the name of the AL on Bengali soil,” he warned.

Rashed Khan also made it clear that any attempt to rehabilitate the AL would meet strong resistance from the people. 

“If necessary, we will surround the residence of the chief adviser and demand a ban on the Awami League,” he said.