The authorities forbid the Awami League from
Awami League, one of Bangladesh’s most prominent political parties, has been officially barred from all political and organisational activity by the country’s interim administration. The administration has already instructed law enforcement agencies to execute their activities in accordance with the official direction, which is anticipated to be announced shortly.
According to senior police officials, once the order is published, the Police Headquarters will immediately instruct all local stations to arrest anyone found participating in activities related to the banned organization. This includes secret meetings, rallies, and even small-scale gatherings by party members.
The law now permits police to arrest people
The arrest of Awami League members was previously ambiguous legally because the organisation had not yet been officially declared illegal. Many police officers were hesitant to take action for fear of legal ramifications or scandal. However, with the current development, law enforcement now has clear legal authority to detain Awami League members under Section 188 of the Penal Code, which allows arrest for disobeying government orders.
According to Supreme Court lawyer Aminul Islam, this law allows for arrest and even up to six months’ imprisonment if someone disobeys a government-issued prohibition.
Online Activity Also Criminalized
The ban doesn’t stop at physical gatherings. Authorities are now extending their watch to cyberspace. According to sources from the cyber-crime unit:
- Anyone posting in favour of Awami League on Facebook, YouTube, or any other online platform may be arrested.
- Even comments supporting the party on others’ posts will be tracked and punished.
- Those who are abroad but engage in similar activities will be investigated and lawsuits will be filed in advance. If they return to Bangladesh, they can also be arrested.
Officials stated that such actions will be considered as violations of government orders and will fall under the Cyber Security Act.
Read More: Will Purdue University’s Whitest Paint Cause a Downturn in the AC Market?
Party’s Digital Presence to Be Removed
As part of the complete ban, the government has also moved to erase Awami League’s online presence.
- The party’s verified Facebook page, which currently has nearly 4 million followers, is set to be taken down.
- The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has been directed to contact Meta (Facebook’s parent company) and other social media platforms to remove all related pages and content.
- Officials from the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology confirmed that formal letters will be sent once the official order is issued.
According to Faiz Ahmad Tayyeb, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on IT Affairs, this step will ensure that Awami League has no operational space—neither offline nor online.
DIG and IGP Confirm Strict Enforcement
DIG of Dhaka Range, Rezaul Karim Mallik, told reporters that instructions have already been given to all Superintendents of Police (SPs) across districts to take strict action against anyone trying to carry out activities under the Awami League banner. No operations of a banned party will be allowed within the Dhaka Range or any other jurisdiction.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam confirmed that the police would operate strictly within the legal boundaries and will follow whatever direction the government provides regarding the Awami League ban.
Legal Perspective
Former IGP Nurul Huda noted that under normal circumstances, no individual from a legal organization can be arrested unless they are accused of a criminal offense. However, once an executive order is issued declaring the organization banned, the police can take legal action against its members.
This indicates that the ban has eliminated the legal issues that previously surrounded police arrests, allowing them to make them without being questioned about their legitimacy or motivation.
Conclusion: A Watershed in the Political History of Bangladesh
A significant political and legal change has occurred in Bangladesh as a result of the Awami League’s prohibition and the police forces’ legal authority to target its members. This trend not only restricts the party’s activities but also creates a highly regulated political atmosphere, especially as the crackdown has spread to online expressions of support.
In the next weeks, it should become evident how much this decision could impact human liberties and Bangladesh’s political future.
Source: KalerKantho
