Dhaka, May 10 -- Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has branded those opposing the call to ban the Awami League as "fascist forces".

Speaking at a "mass" gathering at Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection on Saturday afternoon, he declared: "Bangladesh is now split in two: on one side, the fascist forces; on the other, the Bangladeshi people. Those who oppose banning the Awami League are the fascists. Those who support it are the true Bangladeshis."

The rally, which began shortly after 3pm, demanded the outlawing of the Awami League along with two other key demands.

Joining the demonstration were members and leaders from NCP, Islami Chhatra Shibir, United People's (UP) Bangladesh, and organisations linked to ...