In a significant political development, the interim government of Bangladesh has officially banned all political and organisational activities of the Bangladesh Awami League. The decision, made under the provisions of the country's Anti-Terrorism Act, effectively prohibits the party from engaging in any form of political activity or public mobilisation under its current name.
A government gazette notification to this effect was issued on Monday, marking a rare and controversial move in the nation's political history. The announcement was made public during a meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Council Committee, where the Home Affairs Advisor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury disclosed the government's decision.
According to the notification, the Awami League has been accused of engaging in activities that violate national security and public order, prompting the government to invoke anti-terrorism laws to restrict the party's operations. The specifics of the allegations have not been fully detailed, but officials indicated that recent unrest and alleged connections to violent acts may have influenced the decision.
The ban implies that the Awami League can no longer organise rallies, meetings, or any public political activities. Its offices and affiliated organisations may also be subject to legal restrictions or closure, pending further instructions from the authorities.
This move is expected to have a profound impact on the political landscape of Bangladesh, as the Awami League is one of the country's oldest and most prominent political parties, having led the nation through key moments of its history, including the War of Independence in 1971.
As of now, there has been no official response from the Awami League leadership. Human rights organisations and international observers have yet to release formal statements, though diplomatic sources suggest that the move will draw international scrutiny in the coming days.
