Liberation War Affairs State Minister Ishraq Hossain said Sheikh Hasina’s stated plan to return to the country in December this year was intended only to energise party workers. He described it as political posturing by the banned Awami League. Ishraq made the remarks on Saturday as chief guest at a mock parliament titled “Responsibility for the July Killings” at FDC.

At the event organised by Debate for Democracy, Ishraq said the Awami League had pursued flawed political strategies and moved toward fascism rather than democracy. He alleged that the party had suffered political, social and moral defeat over the July killings and lost international acceptability. He also said that, after August 5, 2024, its allies remained active in the administration, business and cultural spheres.

Ishraq urged all anti-fascist groups to remain united, warning that divisions could create conditions for fascist forces to rise again. Debate for Democracy chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron also described the July uprising as the Awami League’s political and moral defeat. In the debate competition, Bangladesh University of Business and Technology defeated Gono Bishwabidyalay, with trophies, crests and certificates awarded afterward.