‘Illegal Usurper…’: Bangladesh Awami League Calls Nationwide Stir Against Yunus, Rejects Hasina Verdict

Last Updated:November 25, 2025, 21:58 IST

The Awami League launched the protests until November 30, alleging interim leader Muhammad Yunus is conspiring to prevent the party and Hasina from taking part in upcoming polls

The International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka has sentenced former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to death for “crimes against humanity”. (Image: AFP/File)

The Bangladesh Awami League has demanded the resignation of interim leader Muhammad Yunus, calling him a “usurper” and a “killer-fascist” while simultaneously rejecting the death row verdict against its leader and ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Awami League launched nationwide protests until November 30, alleging Yunus is conspiring to prevent the party and Hasina from taking part in the upcoming general elections next year. This comes soon after the interim government of Bangladesh sought the former prime minister’s extradition from India.

The Awami League launched the nationwide stir on social media platform X, calling for protests, demonstrations, and resistance marches. It two demands: the rejection of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) death sentence against Hasina, and the immediate resignation of Yunus. In its official statement, it firmly rejected the verdict calling it “illegal”.

“Demanding the Resignation of Illegal Usurper, Killer–Fascist Yunus and Rejecting the Verdict of the Illegal ICT Tribunal,” the Awami League posted on X. 

In its post, the Awami League thanked its supporters for witnessing and rejecting the “farcical judgment” delivered by the “so-called court established by the illegal usurper, killer–fascist Yunus and his clique”. It said it is only “with the courageous voice and support of the people” that they announced the marches, rejecting the illegal verdict.

“…The illegal usurper, killer–fascist Yunus clique is conspiring to keep the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina out of the election. As part of that conspiracy, they staged this mockery of a trial in their own manufactured court. The Awami League is not only rejecting the illegal ICT verdict, but is also working at the grassroots, holding discussions with political leaders, stakeholders and people from all walks of life to break the web of plots woven by this occupying force. It is now clear to everyone that the Yunus clique is engaged in anti-state conspiracies. The people are ready to fight against these anti-liberation and anti-state forces. And the Awami League will lead that fight,” the party wrote.

This crisis unfolds as the general elections approach in Bangladesh. The Awami League has alleged that the verdict and trial are part of a broader “conspiracy” orchestrated by the Yunus government to keep out Hasina and the party from the polls.

The party issued a stern warning that a staged election excluding the pro-liberation forces, the Awami League and Hasina will not be allowed in Bangladesh. They said such an election “will be resisted at any cost”, while promising a “tough nationwide movement” following the initial stir to defend the country against what they deem to be anti-state and anti-liberation forces.

Oindrila Mukherjee

Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st…Read More

Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st… Read More

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