Banned BCL leader issues hateful message to female activists

A leader of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the deposed Awami League, has threatened some of the female activists who have played significant role during the July uprising with life.

Md Abu Saied Konok, vice-president of the central executive committee of BCL, threatened to make the lives of several female political activists “hell forever” regardless of whether his political group returns to power, according to media reports.

Konok made the remarks in a post on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday.

He named Dipti Chowdhury, Monira Sharmin, Dilshana Parul, Tasnuva Zabin, Tasnim Jara, Rafia and Nova, a women’s coordinator from Pabna, among others.

These women played a vital role by speaking up against the tyranny of the Awami League during the tumultuous days of the July mass uprising in 2024.

The BCL was banned on 23 October 2024 through a gazette notification issued by the home ministry.

The activities of Awami League have also been banned by the interim government that was formed in August, 2024 following the July uprising.

UN reported that about 1,400 people were killed during the uprising.

“Whether [we] come to power or not, Dipti Chowdhury, Monira Sharmin, Dilshana Parul, Tasnuva Zabin, Tasnim Jara, Rafia, Nova, a women’s coordinator from Pabna, and all such women will have their entire lives turned into hell,” he wrote.

Konok said, “There are no ifs and buts here. I don’t care about my image.”

He said he would make the announcement publicly before participating in the next election and then seek a mandate from the people.

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“Even after this announcement, whether the people give me a mandate or not does not matter,” he said.

“I will not pretend to be a civil society member and then come to power to do something. I will seek a mandate by speaking my mind,” Konok added.

He also said, “We know who needs to be forgiven. No one knows better than the Awami League how much we need to do for women and whom we need to be generous towards.”