To ban or not to ban Sheikh Hasina party, Bangladesh is in a fix

It’s been over three months and Bangladesh is governed by an interim-government led by Muhammad Yunus. With no dates for the general elections in the country, the political parties have been demanding and protesting for early polls. Amid this, Yunus’ helmed regime is reportedly facing a dilemma on whether to ban Awami League, led by former PM Sheikh Hasina, from participating in politics and elections.

A report by The Times of India quoted political insiders as saying that the Yunus-led Bangladesh interim government is weighing options on whether to ban Awami League or not as the student leaders, who spearheaded the July-August protest, have been demanding the exclusion of Hasina’s party from the political arena, while Khaleda Zia headed Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP) and its allies are opposing the ban, stressing upon the importance of political inclusion.

Legitimacy of Awami League’s involvement in politics be addressed

In Bangladesh, BNP is now the largest party after Awami League’s fallout following Hasina’s resignation and fleeing. Now, BNP and its allies have been demanding for early elections and also stressing upon the need for completion of all “urgent” political reforms before the polls, including addressing the legitimacy of Awami League’s in politics.

This has created pressure on the interim govt, which must prioritise its course of action amidst competing demands, the political insiders were quoted as saying by ToI.

More from World

Nepal's new PM pays homage to people died during the Gen Z protest in her first national address This Week in Explainers: How recovering from Gen-Z protests is a Himalayan task for Nepal

On November 9, Bangladesh’s interim government termed Awami League as “fascist” and on October 23, it banned the party’s student front Bangladesh Chhatra League over allegations of its “fascist role” during and before the July-August Anti-Discrimination Students Movement.

Initially launched as a campaign for job quota reforms, the student-led movement intensified into a mass protest that ultimately led to the fall of the Hasina government.

What if Yunus decides to ban Awami League?

If Yunus-led government decides to ban Awami League from future political activities, it would be the end of Bangladesh’s oldest political party in the country.

Founded in 1949, Awami League has been at the forefront of almost all democratic movements before and after the birth of Bangladesh. It also led the nation to independence.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

‘The cries of this widow will echo’: In first public remarks, Erika Kirk warns Charlie’s killers they’ve ‘unleashed a fire’

Trump urges Nato to back sanctions on Russia, calls for 50–100% tariffs on China

The last time the Awami League faced such an existential crisis was in August 1975 when Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were killed.

With inputs from agencies.