Home minister says Awami League will soon face trial as a political party

"Those who used to trade on the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War kept selling that spirit until today they are sitting in Delhi," Salahuddin says

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the Awami League, which is facing a ban on its activities, will soon be brought to trial as a political party.

Speaking at the July National Conference on Saturday, he said: "We have demanded the trial of the Awami League as a political party, and so have you. The investigation is under way. Inshallah, very soon that political party will be brought before the dock."

He added: "The law has been amended under Article 47 of the Constitution. The Anti-Terrorism Act and the ICT Act now provide for the trial of political organisations. So, please wait."

He made the remarks at an event marking the second anniversary of the July Uprising at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Agargaon.

The home minister also warned against exploiting the spirit of the July Uprising for political gain.

Addressing the organisers, he said: "My request to those organising today's programme is that none of us should turn the spirit of July into a business."

He added, "Those who are using the spirit of July to form political organisations and gain political advantage by selling that spirit will face the consequences in the future. History shows that."

Referring to the Awami League, Salahuddin said: "Those who used to trade on the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War kept selling that spirit until today they are sitting in Delhi.

"The people of Bangladesh have overthrown them. Turning national ideals into a political business is never good, nor is it right to exploit them for political gain."