Bangladesh Army arrests Awami League workers before Dhaka protest

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts:

Bangladesh Army has detained hundreds of Awami League supporters ahead of a planned protest in Dhaka.
A total of 191 Border Guard Bangladesh platoons have been deployed across Dhaka to prevent protests.
The interim government labeled Awami League a “fascist party,” banning their demonstrations.
Awami League announced the protest to protect citizens’ rights and oppose fundamentalist forces.
The government has ordered strict enforcement of law and order to prevent any protests.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth:

Ahead of the scheduled protest rally on Sunday, the Bangladesh Army detained hundreds of supporters and workers of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League. The protest was planned to oppose the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. In preparation, Dhaka has been heavily secured, with 191 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) platoons deployed across the capital.

Awami League planned the rally at key locations like Gulisthan, Zero Point, and Nur Hossain Square, aiming to protest alleged false accusations against their leaders, the banning of their student wing Chatra League, and continuous harassment of party members. Since Sheikh Hasina’s forced resignation and subsequent exile on August 5, there has been a significant crackdown on Awami League supporters.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami have vowed to prevent any Awami League gatherings, occupying potential protest venues such as Gulistan and the Awami League headquarters.

Labeling Awami League a “fascist party,” the Yunus administration justified its ban on the protest, promising to enforce law and order. “This fascist party will not be allowed to protest in Bangladesh,” stated Shafiqul Alam, Yunus’s press secretary. He warned that anyone attempting to rally would face strict action from law enforcement.

Awami League, however, declared that the protest is essential for safeguarding citizens’ rights and opposing fundamentalist forces in Bangladesh. In a statement, the party said, “Our protest stands for the rights of the people and against the rise of extremist forces. We invite all to join Awami League leaders and workers in opposition to this regime’s misrule.”

Several political factions have called for a ban on Awami League. However, Prime Minister Yunus clarified that the decision rests with political bodies. Some interim government ministers have also expressed opposition to any such ban.