The Bangladesh Awami League has condemned the unprecedented use of the judiciary to legitimise the inhuman and conspiratorial politics of mass killing on August 21, 2004.
That day, through deadly grenades and bullets, there was an attempt to shut the golden gate of democracy. It was the final nail in the coffin of democratic culture. It was a vile conspiracy to silence the politics of peace and democracy of Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of democracy, through grenades, the party said in a statement on Friday.
This stands as the most brutal and heinous political massacre in the history of the nation. The prime target of the attack was the daughter of Bangabandhu, Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with the top leadership of the Awami League, with the aim of wiping them out forever. In this barbaric assault, 24 people lost their lives and hundreds were grievously injured, many of whom still live with grenade splinters in their bodies in unbearable suffering.
But it is a matter of deep sorrow and outrage for the nation that those convicted in this case have been acquitted by the Appellate Division. Earlier, the High Court too had released them in the same manner. This proves that in todayโs Bangladesh, the courts are not upholding justice but rather undermining the rights of justice seekers. By using the judiciary, the accused directly involved in broad daylight mass killing have been acquitted. What a cruel and merciless act! Then who is responsible for the grievous loss of life in this monstrous event?
The responsibility to answer this lies with the court. Bangladesh Awami League believes this verdict is not only against justice, but also a dark signal that legitimises the politics of murder and conspiracy. By destroying the image of the judiciary, an unprecedented and shameful history has been created before humanity. Using the court to absolve the killers is a cruel mockery of democracy, justice, and human rights.
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Bangladesh Awami League strongly protests this verdict and makes it clear that this farcical ruling over the August 21 massacre will push Bangladesh to the edge of a deep abyss. The state of Bangladesh will remain a glaring example of dysfunction. Public faith in state functionality, justice, and citizensโ rights will erode. With such immense mistrust and disbelief from the people, Bangladesh cannot move forward.
The Awami League believes that beyond the state, there exists the society of the people of this country, where human relationships matter deeply. This fabricated verdict has wounded and enraged that great humane spirit filled with compassion.
โWith the democratic and humanist people of this land, our all-out struggle against this shameful incident will continue, and one day, through a golden sunrise, those deprived of justice will find it. Ensuring justice for justice seekers remains our unwavering political commitment. We firmly pledge that the trial of this disgraceful chapter in national history will one day, God willing, be carried out on the soil of Bangladesh.โ
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