Bangladesh's Awami League to launch protests against Yunus administration

New Delhi: Bangladesh's oldest political party Awami League will launch a series of protests from Saturday to press for the resignation of Muhammad Yunus-led interim regime for, what it called, the government's oppression of the minority Hindu community and the deteriorating public security in the country.

This will be the first big protest by Awami League since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, with most of the party leaders either arrested, in exile or underground.

Sources in Awami League said the party will distribute leaflets and campaign for its demands from February 1 to 5, followed by nationwide protest marches, rallies and demonstrations on February 6 and 10. A nationwide blockade will be held on February 16 and a dawn-to-dusk "strict strike" on February 18.


In a statement, Awami League referred to Hasina as the prime minister and demanded withdrawal of murder and other cases against the ousted prime minister and other party leaders from the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, American investor and philanthropist Alex Soros, son of George Soros, is planning to visit Dhaka next month to show his support for Yunus amid Bangladesh's fledgling economy. Alex had met Yunus last October and described him as an "old friend of his father". The visit, if it happens, will take place amid US President Donald Trump's decision to freeze all financial aid to the Yunus government.