Why Did the Awami League Stage a Flash Procession for Former PM Hasina?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Awami League members demonstrated support for Sheikh Hasina.
- Police arrested participants during the flash procession.
- The event reflects growing political tensions in Bangladesh.
- There are allegations of dissent suppression under the interim government.
- The situation indicates a significant political vendetta against the Awami League.
Dhaka, Sep 18 (NationPress) A group of Awami League members from Dhaka Metropolitan South organized a sudden procession on Thursday in the Beribadh area of Hazaribagh police station, showing their support for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as reported by local media.
Dozens of young participants were seen carrying banners and chanting vibrant slogans such as 'Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu', 'Sheikh Hasina will come, the highway will shake', and 'Sheikh Hasina will come, Bangladesh will laugh'.
“I noticed a group of young boys gathering in the morning, initiating a procession while holding banners and chanting 'Jai Bangla' slogans. They moved through Boubazar and, after around five minutes, quickly folded their banners and dispersed. Shortly after, police arrived and arrested 11 individuals,” said a local resident, according to Bangladesh’s prominent Bengali newspaper ‘Jugantor’.
Hazaribagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam confirmed the incidents, stating, “Our team acted swiftly and apprehended 11 people during the unexpected Awami League procession. We are currently investigating to determine who directly participated and who was arrested from nearby. Legal actions will follow based on collected evidence.”
This incident unfolds against the backdrop of a continued crackdown on Awami League leaders and supporters under the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus.
Last week, over 100 Awami League members also held a procession in Dhaka’s Banglamotor, where they voiced slogans opposing the interim government.
Consequently, 11 individuals, including eight leaders and activists from the Awami League’s student wing, Chhatra League, were imprisoned under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Dilruba Afroz Tithi dismissed their bail applications based on the investigation officer's submissions.
Recently, the Awami League has accused the Yunus administration of wielding arbitrary arrests as a means to quash dissent and stifle political opposition in the nation.
Analysts perceive these developments as a significant political vendetta executed by the Yunus regime, especially with numerous cases filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party members on trivial grounds shortly after her ousting in August 2024.