Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, announced it has no plans to ban the Awami League, the political party of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This decision places the government at odds with student revolutionaries who played a pivotal role in Hasina’s overthrow during last year’s uprising.
The roots of the current political climate trace back to early June 2024, when the Bangladesh Supreme Court reinstated a controversial quota system. This system reserved 30% of government jobs for descendants of “freedom fighters” from the 1971 war of independence—a policy originally introduced by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina’s father. Students perceived this as favoritism towards the ruling party’s supporters, leading to widespread protests across university campuses.
The government’s response was severe. Security forces were accused of employing excessive force, including shooting unarmed protesters and committing summary executions. Reports indicate that up to 1,400 people were killed during a three-week crackdown, with children accounting for approximately 12-13% of the deaths. Over 11,700 individuals were detained, and thousands more were injured.
These events culminated in Hasina fleeing to India on August 5, 2024, and the establishment of an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
Despite the Awami League’s alleged involvement in human rights abuses during Hasina’s 15-year tenure, the interim government has chosen not to ban the party. In a statement issued on March 20, 2025, Yunus clarified the government’s position:
“Professor Yunus stated that the interim government has no plans to ban the party. However, individuals within its leadership who are accused of crimes, including murder and crimes against humanity, will be tried in Bangladesh’s courts.”
This approach aims to differentiate between the party as an institution and individuals responsible for criminal activities.
The decision has been met with strong opposition from student leaders who were instrumental in the uprising against Hasina. They argue that the Awami League, given its history of alleged abuses, should be outlawed to prevent any resurgence of authoritarianism.
Hasnat Abdullah, a prominent figure in the newly formed student-backed political party planning to contest the upcoming elections, expressed his discontent on social media:
“The Awami League has to be banned.”
Similarly, Nasir Uddin Patwary, another student leader, warned that failure to ban the party “will push Bangladesh toward civil war,” highlighting the deep-seated mistrust and anger among the youth.
The Awami League holds a significant place in Bangladesh’s history. Under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, it played a crucial role in the country’s independence movement in 1971. However, critics argue that the party’s legacy has been tarnished by recent events, and its continued existence poses a threat to democratic progress.
The international community has closely monitored Bangladesh’s political developments. A fact-finding mission from the UN human rights office reported that Hasina’s government was responsible for systematic attacks and killings of protesters in an attempt to maintain power. The report found “reasonable grounds to believe that the crimes against humanity of murder, torture, imprisonment, and the infliction of other inhumane acts have taken place.”
These findings have intensified calls for accountability and justice for the victims of the crackdown.
The interim government’s decision not to ban the Awami League reflects a complex balancing act. On one hand, there’s a need to uphold democratic principles by allowing political plurality; on the other, there’s a pressing demand for justice from those who suffered under the previous regime.
By choosing to prosecute individuals accused of crimes rather than banning the entire party, the government aims to set a precedent for accountability without undermining the democratic process. However, this approach risks alienating a significant portion of the youth who view the Awami League as emblematic of past oppression.
Bangladesh stands at a crossroads as it navigates the challenges of transitional justice and democratic consolidation. The interim government’s decision regarding the Awami League will have profound implications for the nation’s political future.
