Bangladesh Arrests Dozens of Awami League Activists Amid Anniversary Crackdown

Bangladesh authorities arrested dozens of activists linked to the banned Awami League as they attempted to mark the party’s 77th founding anniversary in defiance of a nationwide prohibition, prompting a major security response involving police, the army and paramilitary forces across multiple districts amid rising political tensions.

Founded on 23 June 1949 in then East Pakistan, the Awami League is Bangladesh’s oldest political organisation and played a central role in the 1971 Liberation War. The party was formally disbanded following the political upheaval of 5 August 2024 after the student-led July Uprising, and its organisational and online activities were subsequently banned under anti-terror provisions during the interim political framework.

Police said at least 26 activists were arrested in Dhaka alone, with further detentions reported in Barishal, Faridpur and Gopalganj after attempts to hold flash processions, display party flags and coordinate gatherings. Authorities said operations were continuing and that the final tally of arrests was still being assessed amid ongoing security sweeps.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police said it had foiled attempts to organise rallies and initiated legal proceedings against those detained. The government also deployed the Bangladesh Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Dhaka and at least five districts, including sensitive Gopalganj, until June 30, marking one of the largest internal security mobilisations since the 2024 uprising.

Reports from additional coverage indicated heightened nationwide alerts, extensive checkpoint operations in Dhaka, and deployment of thousands of personnel to prevent coordinated demonstrations, following intelligence warnings of potential unrest around the anniversary period.

Tensions were further aggravated by the reported deaths of two Awami League activists in separate incidents in Faridpur and Barishal, which triggered local protests and temporary highway blockades, adding to the already volatile political climate.

Despite restrictions, Awami League-linked social media accounts circulated calls for digital mobilisation, while party leader Sheikh Hasina, currently in exile in India, posted a defiant message stating, “We were not born to be defeated.” Authorities reiterated that online promotion of the banned organisation also falls under legal scrutiny.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed maintained that the Awami League “no longer exists as an organisation”, underscoring the government’s hardline stance as Bangladesh faces continued post-uprising instability, deep political polarisation and heightened national security concerns.