Court rejects call for Awami League ban; interim government stance remains unclear.
In a significant development in Bangladesh’s political landscape, a writ petition filed to ban former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League and several other parties was withdrawn on Tuesday.
The move follows weeks of political unrest after the ouster of Hasina’s 15-year regime by a student-led anti-discrimination movement.
Petition Filed by Movement Leaders Withdrawn
Leaders of the student-led anti-discrimination movement had previously filed a petition in Dhaka High Court, seeking a ban on the Awami League and ten other political parties.
The petition, spearheaded by Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, and Hasibul Islam, called for court intervention to prevent these parties from engaging in political activities, citing alleged irregularities in the past three general elections held in 2014, 2018, and 2024.
These elections saw Hasina’s party rise to power, despite accusations of vote manipulation and boycotts by opposition parties, primarily the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
However, on Tuesday morning, as the petition came up for hearing before Justices Fatema Najib and Shikdar Mahmudur Raji, the petitioners’ lawyers announced their clients’ decision to withdraw, leading the bench to dismiss the case.
Political Party Reactions and Demands for Apology
The petition targeted several prominent parties, including the Jatiya Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), sparking varying reactions.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), included in the petition, demanded an apology, while CPB attributed their mention to a misunderstanding.
Meanwhile, the BNP has taken a neutral stance, opposing the ban on any political group and advocating for inclusive elections.
The withdrawal of the petition has heightened political tension, with Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, yet to announce any decision on banning political parties.
According to a government spokesperson, the only organization currently banned is the Bangladesh Chhatra League, a student group allied with the Awami League.
Growing Movement for Constitutional Change and Leadership Reform
The anti-discrimination movement has gained momentum, with students rallying at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar on October 22.
In addition to calling for an Awami League ban, they presented a five-point demand, including the removal of President Mohammad Shahabuddin and scrapping Bangladesh’s original 1972 Constitution.
However, the BNP has refrained from supporting constitutional changes, warning against a potential crisis, and instead pressing for prompt elections.
With the political climate in Bangladesh at a critical juncture, the interim government faces complex challenges, including the need to stabilize governance and address calls for immediate elections.
