Abu Jakir :
In the wake of its recent ouster from power, Bangladesh’s Awami League, one of the country’s most influential political parties, finds itself facing unprecedented challenges.
After holding power for 16 consecutive years, the party has been pushed from its dominant position in the political landscape and is now absent from the streets.
This dramatic shift followed a mass uprising that led to the resignation of party leader and then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, after which she fled to India.
Known for its strong street presence in the past, the Awami League now finds itself waging a different kind of battle—online.
With its leader in exile and several top officials either in hiding or fleeing the country, the party has increasingly turned to social media platforms to stay visible and relevant.
Awami League’s verified Facebook page, along with accounts on X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, and YouTube, have become its primary tools for communicating with supporters and voicing criticisms against the Dr. Yunus-led interim government.
The party regularly posts videos, press releases, and updates in a bid to keep its supporters informed and mobilized against the new administration.
This shift to online activism comes after a turbulent period for the party. Following Hasina’s resignation, many high-ranking officials went underground to evade arrest. Some crossed into India, while others fled to different countries.
Meanwhile, several Awami League leaders and activists who stayed in Bangladesh have been detained by law enforcement agencies.
Reports of attacks on party offices, homes, and businesses, including arson and looting, have emerged from various parts of the country, with even allegations of lynching targeting party supporters.
Sheikh Hasina’s legal troubles have also intensified since her departure. Within days of her resignation, a murder case was filed against her in a Dhaka court.
To date, over 150 cases, including murder charges, have been filed against her and other high-profile figures from her government.
The accumulation of these cases further complicates the prospect of Hasina’s return to Bangladesh’s political scene.
Despite these setbacks, the Awami League has maintained an active presence through its online platforms.
With mainstream media coverage limited, the party’s social media accounts have become crucial for communicating its stance and rallying its base.
The party also uses a WhatsApp number, managed from abroad, to provide updates directly to its followers.
On Sunday, former Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud publicly criticized a news report published in the Daily Kaler Kantho. In a Facebook post, he accused the outlet of spreading false and fabricated information aimed at damaging his reputation.
Similarly, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) issued a press release condemning the attacks on its leaders and activists after August 5, calling for justice for those killed extra-judicially. A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim, the party’s Joint General Secretary, described this period as one of intense repression, highlighting instances of extrajudicial killings and political persecution by the interim government.
He emphasized, however, that the Awami League is far from defeated, expressing confidence that the party would “rise again, like a phoenix from the ashes.”
The party’s international branches have also become more active, aiming to draw global attention to their plight. In the UK, the Awami League organized a protest in front of the British Parliament on September 9, accusing the interim government of forcing Hasina to step down.
The UK branch also submitted a memorandum to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, seeking intervention. Meanwhile, the party’s American wing held demonstrations in Washington, D.C., outside the White House and the State Department, demanding protection for Awami League members in Bangladesh.
They also submitted a memorandum to the U.S. State Department, raising concerns about Hasina’s forced exile and the violence faced by party supporters.
Amid these legal battles, international protests, and Hasina’s exile, the former Prime Minister has continued to communicate with party leaders, according to insiders.
From India, she has reportedly been in regular contact, offering guidance and encouragement. On National Mourning Day, August 15, she urged party members to observe the occasion, commemorating the assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader.
However, the party’s efforts have not been without challenges. Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Hasina’s son residing in the U.S., initially made statements about his mother’s resignation but later retreated from public comments after his messages appeared inconsistent, causing confusion among supporters.
The party has since focused on its internal leadership and online strategies to maintain coherence.
The Awami League faces one of its toughest periods in history. Though its physical presence in Bangladesh’s streets has diminished, it continues to fight for relevance online and through international efforts.
Whether this strategy will restore its political standing remains uncertain, but its resilience in the face of adversity suggests that the party remains committed to making a comeback.
As Nasim stated, “Those who think the Awami League can be erased are living in a fool’s paradise—the party will rise again.”
