Dhaka, January 29 – The Awami League will not be allowed to hold any political programs until the perpetrators of the July-August massacre are brought to justice, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, announced. He also called on the party to publicly apologize to the nation for what he termed a "horrific massacre."

Speaking at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, Shafiqul Alam made this statement in response to a question about the government’s stance on the Awami League’s planned political activities in February. He emphasized that the interim government represents the people of Bangladesh and will not tolerate any efforts to incite violence. He warned that if those responsible for the massacre attempt to hold protests or rallies, the people of Bangladesh will respond firmly. According to him, the Awami League must face justice for the mass killings and seek forgiveness from the public before being allowed to engage in political activities.

He further asserted that the party must present a "clean image" if it wishes to participate in politics. He questioned whether any Awami League leaders or activists had expressed remorse for the killings, arguing that instead of showing accountability, the party has been spreading misinformation and propaganda. He specifically referenced the deaths of 71 children, who he claimed were shot from helicopters during the attacks.

Shafiqul Alam also criticized the lack of internal accountability within the Awami League, questioning why no leaders have publicly condemned the actions of Sheikh Hasina’s government. He argued that a true democratic leadership should reject such violence and work towards a political system free from past atrocities.

Earlier in the day, Shafiqul Alam issued a warning on his verified Facebook page, stating that anyone attempting to organize unauthorized protests under the banner of the Awami League would face legal consequences. His post underscored the government’s firm stance against any activities that could disrupt national stability.

As of now, the Awami League has not responded to the press secretary’s statements. However, political analysts suggest that this marks a significant escalation in the government's approach to handling opposition activities. The coming weeks are expected to be crucial in determining how these tensions unfold in Bangladesh’s political landscape.