Awami League announces nationwide rallies amid quota violence

The ruling Awami League will hold nationwide street rallies in response to the fatalities caused by recent violence during the quota reform protests.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced the new plans at an urgent press conference at the party president's office in Dhanmondi on Saturday.

The party will hold rallies in every ward of Dhaka and in all metropolitan areas and districts on Sunday.

A mourning procession, initially set for Saturday, will now occur on Monday, starting from the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh and ending at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the capital.

Quader said: "Given the inclement weather and our desire to avoid confrontations, we decided against proceeding with programmes that might provoke conflict. We had scheduled events for yesterday and today."

He added: "On Aug 5, we will mark the birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's eldest son, Sheikh Kamal, despite the sadness of his untimely demise overshadowing the celebration. We have scheduled new programmes for Sunday."

Quader criticised the BNP for its continuous failures and rejections by the public. "The BNP is always eager to turn any movement into an effort to unseat the government. The government is handling all provocations and disorder with patience and restraint," he added.