Supporters of banned Awami League stage protest marches in Shariatpur

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Supporters of the Awami League, an organization currently facing severe political restrictions in Bangladesh, staged a flash protest in Shariatpur on Saturday, further signaling a rise in localized dissent. The demonstration took place along the Dhaka-Shariatpur highway in the Premtala area of the municipality, where activists were seen marching with party banners and the national flag.

Footage of the event, which circulated widely on social media, shows the procession led by Selim Sheikh, a member of the Palong Union Parishad. During the march, which Sheikh broadcast live on his personal Facebook page, participants chanted slogans demanding the return of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina and the lifting of the government’s ban on their party. The demonstrators also voiced support for party figures, including the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and former member of parliament Iqbal Hossain.

This incident marks a continuation of sporadic street activity in Shariatpur, where party loyalists and affiliated groups have organized frequent small-scale protests over the past two weeks. Previous gatherings have included processions by local Swechchhasebak League leaders on the district’s main thoroughfares and demonstrations in five different locations to mark Sheikh Hasina’s homecoming anniversary.

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A local Youth League leader, speaking on condition of anonymity to the newspaper Prothom Alo, described the protests as a response to what he termed “false cases” and ongoing harassment. He indicated that these flash demonstrations will continue as a regular strategy until the ban on the party is formally revoked.

Local law enforcement officials, however, have adopted a cautious stance regarding the public displays. Shah Alam, officer-in-charge of the Palong Model Police Station, stated that his department had no initial confirmation that a banned organization had held a rally. He added that police are investigating the reports and that appropriate legal action will be taken if it is determined that the protest breached public order regulations. Repeated attempts to reach Selim Sheikh for comment via phone and text message were unsuccessful.