New Delhi: After India criticised the ban on the Awami League for not following “due process” and called for free and inclusive elections, Bangladesh responded that the ban was necessary to “protect national security and sovereignty” and asserted that the elections were “entirely our internal matter”.Recently, Bangladesh’s interim government banned all activities of the Awami League, the political party headed by the country’s ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Last week on May 10, Bangladesh’s Law Advisor Asif Nazrul announced the decision “ to ban the activities, including in cyberspace, of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the trial of the Awami League and its leaders ends”.The Awami League is currently facing trial before a special tribunal for its alleged role in violent crackdowns on anti-government protests last year, in which hundreds of people were reported killed. In recent weeks, thousands of protesters had camped out across Dhaka, demanding that the party be banned and pledging to remain on the streets until action was taken.India, in its first official response, criticised the move, suggesting it lacked “due process” and raised wider concerns about democratic freedoms.‘Ban without due process is a concerning development’At the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly briefing on Tuesday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The ban on the Awami League without due process is a concerning development. As a democracy, India is naturally concerned at curtailment of democratic freedoms and shrinking political space. We strongly support the early holding of free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh.”In a sharp response, the interim Bangladeshi authorities defended the decision.“I have already said that the ban on activities of this party is necessary to protect national security and sovereignty, ensure the safety of July Movement activists, and safeguard plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal,” said Shafiqul Alam, spokesperson for the chief advisor.He accused the Awami League of eroding democratic institutions during its 15 years in power, and of holding what he described as “grossly farcical elections.”Bangladesh, he added, is undertaking a reform process to rebuild its political system.“Elections are entirely our internal matter. We urge all to respect the sovereign will of our people in matters relating to elections,” he saidIndia and Bangladesh shared a close relationship during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, with New Delhi viewing her government as a reliable partner on counterterrorism and regional connectivity. Since her ouster in August last year, however, ties have become strained, with India asserting that minorities, especially Hindus, have been targetedHasina fled to New Delhi in a military plane and remains in India, despite requests from the interim government for her extradition.