Dhaka, June 23: Dozens of activists of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s now-disbanded Awami League party were arrested overnight as they staged sporadic street marches to mark the party’s 77th founding anniversary in defiance of a nationwide security ban, authorities said on Tuesday.
Founded on June 23, 1949, when present-day Bangladesh was East Pakistan, the Awami League is the country’s oldest political party and led the nation’s 1971 Liberation War.
The party was disbanded by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government after Hasina’s government was toppled on August 5, 2024, following a violent student-led street protest dubbed the July Uprising. The move was later endorsed by Parliament under the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Through its social media platforms, the Awami League urged supporters to hold digital discussions, hoist party flags, organise processions and conduct poster campaigns to mark the anniversary.
A police spokesman said 26 activists of the “banned party” were arrested in Dhaka alone, while several others were detained in other places in the country for staging processions or attempting to defy the ban amid heightened security.
Despite the restrictions, Awami League social media platforms uploaded video clips showing party leaders and activists holding street marches, carrying party flags and banners and chanting slogans.
On the eve of the anniversary, Hasina, in a social media post, said, “We were not born to be defeated.”
“We are returning with people’s support with 10 times more strength,” the Awami League said in a social media post. (PTI)
