Bangladesh bans student wing of Sheikh Hasina’s party

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. Bangladesh’s interim government banned Sheikh Hasina’s party’s student wing under anti-terror law.
2. The ban was due to the student organization’s involvement in violence during protests.
3. Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August and fled to India.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Bangladesh’s interim government has banned the student wing of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The decision comes after allegations that the student body was involved in violent attacks on student protests, leading to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August.

The protests, which began peacefully in July, escalated into violence when Chhatra League members attacked demonstrators on university campuses. Attempts by pro-government groups to suppress the protests only fueled public outrage, resulting in Hasina’s ousting after a 15-year rule. Hasina fled the country in August as thousands marched towards her official residence.

A government notice stated that the Chhatra League has been involved in serious crimes, including murders, persecution, torture, and activities that posed a threat to public safety. As per the provisions of a 2009 anti-terror law, the ban has been imposed with immediate effect.

Over the past weeks, many of Hasina’s allies have been detained for their role in the violent crackdown on protests. Several former ministers and senior Awami League officials have been arrested, while her appointees have been removed from key positions in the courts and central bank. A Bangladeshi court recently issued an arrest warrant for Hasina, who fled to India. Officials estimated that over 700 people were killed in clashes between anti-Hasina protesters and police during the unrest.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

See Full Bio