Staff Reporter :
At a press conference held at the National Press Club on Sunday, Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman presented a set of seven demands, including the immediate ban of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) as a terrorist organization.
Rahman, a vocal critic of the current government, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the interim government, threatening to lead protests if his demands were not met.
One of Rahman’s key demands was the removal of all statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh.
He also called for the cancellation of Saima Wazed Putul’s nomination to the World Health Organization (WHO), citing alleged fraud.
Additionally, Rahman stressed the need to review all agreements signed with India over the past 15 years, which he claims have undermined Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
“All treaties and agreements made during the Hasina regime must be made public and reviewed by a patriotic committee, excluding individuals with pro-India or fascist tendencies,” he said.
In his speech, Rahman criticized the judiciary, alleging that it functioned as a puppet of the ruling Awami League during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.
He specifically mentioned Justice Nizamul Haque Nasim, who he argued should have been arrested following the 2012 “Skype scandal” related to the International Crimes Tribunal.
Rahman also took aim at the Bangladeshi media, accusing it of being controlled by Indian interests and pushing a narrative focused on fundamentalism and Islamic militancy.
He claimed the media has largely failed to highlight issues of national importance, instead promoting the government’s agenda.
Among his other demands, Rahman proposed renaming key national landmarks, including renaming Jamuna Bridge as “Shaheed Abu Sayed Bridge,” in honor of a martyr, and Bangabandhu Avenue as “Shaheed Abrar Avenue” after the slain BUET student, Abrar Fahad, who was murdered in 2019 for opposing Indian influence in Bangladesh.
Rahman warned that if his demand to ban the BCL as a terrorist organization was not met within seven days, he would lead a series of street protests organized by journalists.
“On behalf of the Amar Desh family, myself, and the journalist community, I give this interim government an ultimatum. BCL must be banned, or we will take to the streets,” he declared.
Rahman also urged the government to take responsibility for those injured during recent student-led protests.
He proposed the formation of a four-member committee, including advisers from the health, finance, and industries ministries, along with the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant, Mahfuz Alam, to ensure the treatment and rehabilitation of the injured.
He concluded by reiterating his call for transparency in government dealings with India, emphasizing that the people of Bangladesh have a right to know the details of all treaties signed since 2009.