Awami League's politics is the politics of destruction, says information state minister

Information and Broadcasting State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury has said the Awami League, whose activities are banned, has been involved in arson terrorism, enforced disappearances, abductions and killings since its very inception.

He made the remarks on Tuesday (10 November) while answering journalists' questions after an exchange of views with leaders of the Broadcast Journalist Center (BJC) at the Secretariat.

‘Those who are setting fires today, this is nothing new. Their politics is the politics of destruction. They have been carrying out arson terrorism since their inception. They are involved in enforced disappearances, abductions and killings,’ Yaser Khan Chowdhury said.

He said that by carrying out isolated incidents of arson and violence in different places, the Awami League repeatedly reveals its political character.

Referring to the ban on the Awami League's activities, he said not only the party's political activities but all activities of its affiliated, associate and fraternal organisations have also been banned. A clear directive on this was published in the Bangladesh Gazette on 12 May 2025.

Under the gazette, all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations are banned, including publications, promotion in the media or on online social media, processions, rallies and meetings.

‘Just as their activities are banned, promoting their activities is also banned. I think the media should also remember this,’ the state minister said.

Speaking about the recent arson incidents, he said that in the darkness of night, two or four people may come, chant slogans somewhere and leave, or set fire to a car or a bus and flee. But through these incidents it is repeatedly proved that they are the ones who carry out arson terrorism.

On the law and order situation, he said the law enforcement agencies and the general public are alert on this matter. The police and other forces are taking the necessary steps to arrest the terrorist organisation and its members, and many have already been arrested in different areas.

About the fugitive top leadership of the Awami League, the state minister said, ‘The mastermind of this arson terrorism, who is a fugitive, will certainly be brought back to Bangladesh and brought under trial. The people of Bangladesh want to see this trial.’

On the demands raised by the BJC, Yaser Khan Chowdhury said the organisation has put forward several demands and proposals to change policies. They also shared ideas on how television channels can be sustained and modernised, and discussed the development of digital platforms.

The state minister said the BJC will submit its demands to the government in writing, and the government will take a decision after reviewing and considering them.

He noted that the government is not controlling the media at present, and added that the government has no intention of controlling the media in future either.

BJC Chairman Fahim Ahmed, its Member Secretary Elias Hossain and other leaders were present at the exchange of views.