Abu Jakir :
Hundreds of demonstrators demanding a ban on the Awami League took to the streets of central Dhaka on Thursday night, paralysing traffic and increasing pressure on the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Shahbagh, a historic intersection known for its political symbolism, has once again become the epicentre of civil resistance. Protesters, vowing to remain until the Awami League is formally dissolved, have erected barricades and chanted slogans such as “Ban Awami League!” in a display of coordinated mobilisation.
The protests are being spearheaded by the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), which has successfully united an unlikely coalition of Islamist and nationalist organisations. These groups accuse the Awami League of decades of authoritarian rule and violent repression.
“We are not leaving until the government bans the Awami League,” declared Hasnat Abdullah, NCP’s southern chief organiser, during a rally on Friday. “From Shahbagh, our second uprising begins. The day the banner reads ‘Bangladesh Without Awami League’ will mark a new beginning.”
Calls for broader unity have also emerged from within the movement. Sarjis Alam, NCP’s northern organiser, publicly invited the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to join the demonstrations, suggesting that their participation could restore the spirit of unity last seen during the July Uprising.
“All parties except BNP and its affiliates are now in Shahbagh,” Alam stated in a social media post. “A united Shahbagh awaits BNP. Today’s gathering is part of history and will define the future of politics.”
Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, echoed that sentiment with a personal appeal to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia: “Begum Zia of Bangladesh, the families of thousands of martyrs at Shahbagh and the entire nation are waiting for you.”
Although the BNP has yet to formally join the protest, the party has voiced criticism of the Awami League’s political legacy. “Not a single AL leader has expressed remorse or taken responsibility for 15 years of misrule,” said Abdul Moyeen Khan, a BNP Standing Committee Member, speaking from the party’s Gulshan office.
The protests have continued to draw crowds from a range of Islamist factions including Hefazat-e-Islam, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Oikya Jote, and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir. Many participants cited grievances related to past episodes of violence, including the 2013 Shapla Chattar crackdown and the 2024 July Uprising.
In response to the unrest, the interim government acknowledged on Friday that the demand to ban the Awami League is under “serious consideration.” A statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing referenced allegations of terrorism and autocracy, citing a United Nations report on political violence involving party supporters.
The statement also confirmed the recent banning of the Awami League’s student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, and announced ongoing efforts to amend the International Crimes Tribunal Act to allow for the banning of political parties implicated in crimes against humanity.
“There is no legal barrier,” said Law Adviser Asif Nazrul in a Facebook post. “The Awami League can be banned under existing laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act. I have already presented the draft ICT amendments to the council.”
So far, the demonstrations have remained largely peaceful, but leaders warn that the movement could escalate if demands are not met. Hefazat-e-Islam has instructed its supporters to remain in the streets indefinitely, while other groups are considering broader national mobilisation.
For interim leader Professor Muhammad Yunus, the growing political unrest presents a significant test. The transitional administration must now balance domestic pressures, a volatile political landscape, and scrutiny from international observers, all while facing demands for decisive action against the former ruling party.
