Indian politicians conspiring to 'rehabilitate' Awami League, says BNP leader

"They [Indian policymakers] cannot accept Sheikh Hasina's downfall. After the meeting between Dr Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman in London, the neighbouring country began plotting targeted conspiracies," Rizvi said while speaking to journalists in Pabna's Chatmohar upazila as quoted by The Daily Star.

"The conspiracies are not over. Even now, many grassroots and national-level BNP activists remain missing. Many are still being harassed with false cases and arrests," he said.

The interim government in Bangladesh will mark August 5 as Student-People Uprising Day to mark the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina, who escaped to India amid violent protests against her regime.

The government will also declare it a public holiday.

According to local media reports, Bangladesh will observe the day every year.

The decision was taken after the advisory council met at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday.

Interim government's Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki told reporters, as quoted by The Daily Star, that a preliminary decision had been made to celebrate August 5 as the Student-People Uprising Day.

The matter will be finalised next Sunday and a gazette notification may be issued the following day, he added.

Awami League Banned

Last month, the Bangladesh Election Commission suspended the registration of ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, effectively barring the longest ruling political outfit in the country's history from contesting the next general polls.

The Interim government, which came to power after Hasina's exit from Bangladesh last year amid severe protests against her regime over the anti-job quota issue, banned the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

All activities of the political outfit have been banned until the International Crimes Tribunal completes the trial of the party and its leaders.

Hasina's Awami League is credited with having a long history of freedom struggle of the nation which was formed in 1971.

The interim government made the announcement amid protests across Bangladesh, demanding a ban on Awami League.