Awami League rejects its ban by Bangladesh interim government, vows to continue operations

Awami League rejects ban by interim government, vows to continue operations, faces potential disqualification from upcoming election.

Bangladesh’s deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League on Sunday (May 11, 2025) rejected “with disgust” the interim government’s decision to ban the party and vowed to continue its operations despite the restriction.

The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government’s Council of Advisers or the Cabinet on Saturday (May 10, 2025) night slapped a ban on “all activities of Awami League”, including in cyberspace, under an anti-terrorism law.

Reacting to the move, in a strongly worded statement posted on X, the Awami League said, “We are rejecting and protesting the fascist autocrat Yunus government’s decision with disgust...Awami League will carry on its activities in an appropriate course, defying the decision of the fascist Yunus government.”

The party regretted that “today’s independent Bangladesh” had to witness the ban on Awami League activities by an “undemocratic fascist” government that now runs the country “without people's mandate”, while the country “earned independence and sovereignty under its (Awami League’s) leadership”.

Formed in 1949, the Awami League led the movement for the autonomy of Bengalis in the then East Pakistan for decades and eventually led the Liberation War in 1971.

The statement said the ban is meant to “exile the spirit, ideals, and core values of the Liberation War and to empower the vulgar resurgence of anti-independence elements” and “only an anti-state and anti-independence evil force alone”.

“We strongly believe that the people of Bangladesh will deliver a resounding response to this reckless decision by the fascist Yunus regime. We call upon all leaders and activists of Awami League to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people and build a total resistance against this incoherent and anti-people decision,” it said.