Awami League anti-shutdown programmes overwhelm Jamaat strike supporters

The Jamaat-e-Islami’s response to its own general strike call in protest against the execution of war criminal Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid has been lukewarm compared with the Awami League’s presence at the thoroughfares with anti-shutdown programmes.

The ruling party and its affiliate organisations held marches and rallies in many parts of Dhaka on Monday in rejection of the shutdown.

They also welcomed the Sunday hanging of Mujahid and BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, who were sentenced to death two years ago for 1971 war crimes.

Government supporters were out in large numbers at Bangabandhu Avenue, the National Press Club, Shahbagh, Dhaka University area, Gulistan and Purana Paltan.

Marchers from different directions converged on the Awami League central office on Bangabandhu Avenue, chanting anti-shutdown slogans.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Juba League unit held its rally at 11am.

Next in queue was the Awami Swechchhasebak League.

The Bangabandhu Sanskritik Jote held its rally in front of the Press Club, as did the associations of freedom fighters.

Members of Dhaka Metropolitan (south) Chhatra League marched in procession through several parts of the capital.

The ruling party's peasant front also held its anti-shutdown programme, led by Krishak League General Secretary Samshul Huq Reza.

Other organisations such as the Chhatra League and Awami Ulama League, too, held rallies on the Dhaka University campus and near Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, respectively.

The student wing of the Awami League also held rallies in other parts of Dhaka.