Supporters of the banned Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliate organisations have begun reopening party offices across at least 25 districts, signalling a tentative resurgence despite the ongoing prohibition on their activities, in a bold show of defiance following the February 12 general elections and the formation of the BNP-led government.
The moves come in response to calls from exiled AL President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has demanded the lifting of the “fascist ban” imposed by the Jamaat-controlled Yunus-led interim government in May 2025 under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Sheikh Hasina has also urged the withdrawal of thousands of allegedly fabricated cases against party members and the release of detained activists, many of whom faced arbitrary arrests during the 18-month interim period.
In Satkhira, members of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (student wing) and Jubo League (youth wing) staged a flash procession on Wednesday morning after 18 months of inactivity. Starting from the city’s Bar Bazar Road around 9:30am, the group marched to the district Chhatra League office, where they hoisted the national flag and declared their return to organisational work.
Local youth wing leaders announced plans to resume political activities soon. While the flag flew in the courtyard, the main gate remained locked during a later visit.
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Similar scenes unfolded in Rajbari, Bogura, and Kurigram districts. In Rajbari, early Wednesday morning, AL activists hung portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina at the district office near Railgate Shahid Smriti Chattar, along with a banner featuring joint general secretary Sheikh Sohel Rana’s photo and the party name. Witnesses reported the banner appeared overnight.
The office had been inactive since August 5, 2024. Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Tapas Kumar Pal confirmed police were investigating the incident.
In Kurigram, Chhatra League-affiliated youths briefly hoisted the national flag and an AL banner on the tin-walled premises of the demolished district office at Shapla Chattar early Wednesday, chanting slogans like “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.” The action was quickly countered; by noon, former members of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) removed the items and demolished the wall, announcing plans to build a public toilet on the site.
Former SAD district convener Abdul Aziz Nahid accused police of inaction despite prior complaints, vowing no AL presence would be tolerated. Police Superintendent Fazle Rabbi said the event occurred without their knowledge and promised legal action against those attempting to reopen the banned office.
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In Bogura’s Sonatola upazila, the national flag was raised at the upazila AL office on Wednesday morning, though police could not identify who was responsible. Officer-in-Charge Kabir Hossain noted inquiries were underway. Locals said the office had been abandoned since a July 2024 attack by anti-discrimination protesters, which involved vandalism and arson. Some AL leaders expressed hope that the new BNP government would not obstruct their politics, planning to raise and lower the flag daily until conditions normalise for full resumption.
In Noakhali, however, attempts to reopen the district AL office met fierce resistance. Early Wednesday, a group claiming Chhatra League ties broke the lock, entered the premises near Town Hall Moor, and hung a banner reading “Noakhali District Awami League Office” before protesting. Police from Sudharam Thana raided the site, detaining five suspected AL and Chhatra League members, who were later sent to jail.
In the afternoon, “July Ekattor” or “July Unity” activistsโlinked to the 2024 uprisingโstaged a protest march and road blockade at Town Hall Moor, burning tyres and vowing to prevent AL’s return. Speakers condemned the “terrorists” of Chhatra League for daring to reemerge, declaring no space for the banned party in Bangladesh.
These developments highlight the fragile post-election landscape, where the ALโbarred from the February polls and facing widespread accusations from the 2024 uprisingโtests boundaries under the new administration. While some districts see quite symbolic acts, others witness swift backlash from anti-AL groups, raising concerns over potential clashes as the party seeks rehabilitation amid calls for justice and democratic inclusion. Authorities have yet to issue a unified response on enforcing the ban versus allowing limited symbolic expressions.
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