DHAKA: Chants of “Bengali Joy”, the slogan of the 1971 liberation war closely associated with the Awami League, echoed in central Dhaka, where thousands gathered to pay their last respects to party veteran Tufail Ahmed on Monday, despite a ban on the Sheikh Hasina-led group.
Tovel, an eight-time MP, former minister and one of the prominent figures in Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war, died in a hospital here on Monday at 3:30 pm. He was 82 years old.Many in Dhaka’s political circles believe that the rally in Dhanmondi is not only an indication of the support that Hasina enjoys, but also confirms the buzz that a “reformed or refined” Awami League may be in the making.The crowd raised slogans in support of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and former Prime Minister Hasina, who was sentenced to death in absentia in cases of crimes against humanity.Speculation about the possibility of the Awami League gradually gaining support was raised after a former advisor to the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus recently claimed that reasons such as minimal reforms undertaken by the interim government, inaction on the persecution of minorities, and “embracing” the hardline Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami in order to contain the BNP, made way for the Awami League to “effectively” return to the political arena in Bangladesh.
Dipen Dewan, Minister of Minority Affairs, resignsAfter less than four months into Prime Minister Tariq Rahman’s administration, Dipen Dewan – one of two ministers from minority communities – resigned from the government on Monday over health concerns.Chittagong Hills District Affairs Minister Dewan, a Buddhist and a prominent tribal figure, said his deteriorating health condition had made it increasingly difficult for him to fulfill his responsibilities effectively.Nitai Roy Chowdhury – a Hindu – is the other minority minister in Rahman’s government. He is the Minister of Cultural AffairsDiwan (62 years old) stated in his resignation letter that his physical condition creates obstacles to the regular implementation of ministerial duties.