Banned Awami League activists stage flash protests in Shariatpur despite government restrictions

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Supporters of the Awami League held a flash demonstration in Shariatpur on Friday, defying the government’s formal ban on the political organization. The protesters marched along the Shariatpur-Chandpur road in the Hogla area of Rudrakar Union, demanding the return of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the lifting of restrictions placed on their party.

Footage of the event, which circulated widely on social media, showed approximately 25 to 30 individuals led by local Awami League activist Azizul Bepari. Participants chanted slogans in support of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina, and former Shariatpur-1 Member of Parliament Iqbal Hossain. The video was shared across various personal accounts and subsequently posted on the Awami League’s verified Facebook page.

This incident marks the latest in a series of clandestine activities reported across the district. According to local sources, supporters of the Awami League and its affiliated wings have staged at least six similar protests in the district town over the past 20 days. These events are part of a broader, localized effort to maintain visibility, with participants reportedly preparing for the upcoming June 23 anniversary of the party’s founding.

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Many Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders have been in hiding since the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina administration on August 5, 2024. An anonymous source within the local Awami League claimed that the party is unable to conduct open political activities due to pressure from police and opposition groups, forcing members to operate from the shadows to avoid potential arrests and legal cases.

Authorities have vowed to take stern action against the participants. Shah Alam, officer-in-charge of Palong Model Police Station, confirmed that police are investigating the video and working to identify those involved. He emphasized that the law enforcement response will mirror previous crackdowns, where participants in similar illegal demonstrations were charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act and subsequently arrested.