State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain on Saturday dismissed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina`s announcement that she would return to Bangladesh in December, calling it a "political gimmick" aimed at encouraging Awami League supporters.
Speaking at a mock parliament debate in Dhaka,
Ishraque said Hasina`s statement was intended to boost the morale of party leaders and activists rather than signal a genuine return.
"Sheikh Hasina is talking about returning to the country in December only to raise the morale of her party workers. It is nothing but a political stunt," he said.
The event, organised by Debate for Democracy at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), focused on accountability for the July killings.
Ishraque alleged that members of the Awami family had left the country even before the July uprising, describing the move as an act of cowardice.
He also claimed the Awami League abandoned democratic principles and moved towards what he called fascism, leading to a major political mistake.
According to the state minister, the party suffered its "political, social and moral defeat" over the July killings and has since lost credibility both at home and abroad.
He said many Awami League leaders and activists have remained out of public view since August 5, 2024, although, he claimed, some of the party`s allies still hold positions in the administration, business sector and cultural arena.
"Awami League has no political future.
There is no scope for the party to be rehabilitated in politics," he said.
Despite political differences among parties opposed to the Awami League, Ishraque urged them to stay united, warning that division could create an opportunity for the party to regain ground.
"For the sake of democracy, anti-fascist unity is essential to protect the spirit of July," he said.
Chairing the programme, Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmmed Chowdhury Kiron said the July uprising was the result of a long anti-government movement led by the BNP and other opposition parties, along with the participation of students and the public.
He alleged that the July uprising marked not only the fall of the Awami League government but also the party`s political, social, moral and ideological defeat, holding the ousted prime minister responsible for the July killings.
The mock parliament debate, titled "Awami League`s social defeat on account of the July killings is greater than its political defeat," was won by debaters from the Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT), who defeated Gono University in the final.
Trophies, crests and certificates were presented to the participants.
