Bangladesh Arrests Awami League Activists as Banned Party Marks 77th Founding Anniversary

Dozens of activists of the now-disbanded Awami League were arrested in Bangladesh overnight as the party attempted street marches to mark its 77th founding anniversary on 23 June 2026, defying a nationwide security ban. Police said 26 activists were arrested in Dhaka alone, with more detained elsewhere.

Founded on 23 June 1949, when present-day Bangladesh was East Pakistan, the Awami League is the country's oldest political party and led the 1971 Liberation War. It was disbanded by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government after the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was toppled on 5 August 2024 following a student-led uprising. The ban was later endorsed by Parliament under the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The party had urged supporters to mark the day through digital discussions, processions and poster campaigns. Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since her ouster, posted that the party would 'return with people's support'. She has been sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal over the crackdown on the 2024 protests. Bangladeshi media are barred from publishing her statements or Awami League activities.

For aspirants, this is a significant India's-neighbourhood topic, touching on Bangladesh's political transition, the role of the interim government, and the implications for India-Bangladesh relations.