Bangladesh: Thousands gather to pay last respects to Awami League veterans despite ban

Dhaka: Thousands of people gathered in central Dhaka on Monday to pay their last respects to party patriarch Tofail Ahmed despite a ban on the Sheikh Hasina-led organization, chanting “Joy Bangla”, a slogan closely associated with the Awami League during the 1971 liberation war. Tofail, an eight-time MP, former minister and one of the prominent figures in Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war, died at a local hospital at 3:30 pm on Monday. He is 82 years old.Many in Dhaka’s political circles believed that the rally in Dharmundi was not only a sign of the support Hasina had but also confirmed rumors that a “reformed or improved” Awami League might be taking shape.The crowd raised slogans in support of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and former Prime Minister Hasina, who was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity.A former adviser to the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus recently claimed that the interim government’s lack of reforms, inaction against the persecution of minorities, and “embracing” of the hard-line Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami in order to curb the BNP would make way for the Awami League to “effectively” return to Bangladeshi politics, triggering speculation that the Awami League may gradually gain support.Minority Communities Minister Deepen Dewan resignsLess than four months into Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s reign, Dipen Dewan, one of two ministers from minority communities, resigned from the cabinet on Monday, citing health concerns.Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dewan is a Buddhist and a prominent tribal face. He said his deteriorating health was making it increasingly difficult for him to carry out his duties effectively.Nitai Roy Chowdhury, a Hindu, is another minority community minister in Rahman’s cabinet. He is the Minister of CultureDewan (62 years old) mentioned in his resignation letter that his physical condition caused obstacles to the normal performance of ministerial duties.