Hasina’s Fall and the Crisis of Conscience Among Awami League Sympathizers

Silence is a sign of consent—there is no room for disagreement on this matter.

This timeless truth has become more relevant than ever. A certain class in our society proudly labels themselves as “gentlemen,” yet they remain silent in the face of injustice. Today, the word “gentleman” seems confined to clothing, accent, and social status. But to be truly gentle, one must stand for truth and protest against wrongdoing.

There is a concerted effort to 'establish' the idea that one can still be a gentleman while supporting the Awami League.

But what should the definition of a gentleman truly be?

When we say “gentleman,” whom are we referring to? Those who have built their entire body and soul around the ideology and influence of the Awami League—how can we possibly consider them gentlemen? Those who stand beside the oppressors and remain deaf to the cries of the oppressed—what kind of gentleness is that?

A Party’s Long-Term Misuse of State Power

For nearly 15–16 years, the Awami League government has used the state as its personal property under the force of its authoritarian power. Political killings, abductions, torture, suppression of free speech, politicization of the judiciary—these became normalized under their rule.

People across all levels of society were killed, and even the basic freedom to speak was stripped away.

Just before August 5, 2024, they paid large sums of money to have people killed—where were these 'gentle' Awami League members then?

Where were those so-called gentlemen, whose sense of humanity was supposedly above all?

Under the directive of their party leader Sheikh Hasina, they massacred thousands like birds—and they showed no remorse.

It’s been almost a year since Hasina fled, yet they have not awakened any sense of accountability. Instead, they continue to proudly present themselves as Awami League warriors, contractors of the slogan ‘Joy Bangla.’

The Mask of Gentleness and the Deceit of the 'Civil Society'

Today, a so-called 'civil class' is trying hard to rehabilitate the Awami League by crafting narratives and justifications.

A concerted campaign is underway to construct a narrative of 'gentle' Awami League supporters to help restore the party to legitimacy, standing upon the blood of thousands. The nation must unite and put a full stop to this deception immediately.

These people may wear suits and deliver soft-spoken speeches, but their moral position aligns with the criminals. Because they didn’t have bullets pierce their chests, because they didn’t lose children to state violence, they treat politics as if it’s an academic debate.

Those like Abdul Hamid and Ivy, who remained silent and supported all of Awami League’s crimes—they can never be called 'good' Awami Leaguers. Because the crimes committed by their party were fully enabled and supported by their silence and complicity.

Redefining the Term ‘Gentleman’

Now comes the pressing question—

At this stage, how can anyone consider them gentlemen?

Gentlemanliness is not just about attire, vocabulary, or maintaining a middle-ground tone on social media. A true gentleman is one who stands for truth and justice—even when it is inconvenient or dangerous. The reality is, the most vulgar, corrupt, and morally bankrupt people of our society were with the Awami League; even today, certain depraved minds continue to sing their praises.

A Warning and Final Message

Those who now wish to rehabilitate the Awami League and bring them back into the electoral field—this is a warning to you: Stop before you become as uncivil and disgraceful as the Awami League. Because if you walk that path, history will not remember your well-spoken words or your nice clothing. It will brand you as an accomplice to crime.

Otherwise—Just as the Awami League fled on August 5, you too may have to flee one day. And though you still enjoy the right to live and speak in this country after enabling the Awami regime, that freedom may one day be stripped from you for the very same reason.

Conclusion: Stand with Justice and Conscience

What the nation needs most right now is to redefine what it means to be a gentleman.Being a gentleman means standing for justice, resisting corruption, and becoming a voice for the oppressed.

This is not the time to stay silent. This is the time to say a loud and clear "NO" to injustice. Because silence is a sign of consent.