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Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Awami League ban in Bangladesh without due process is concerning': India
NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the political developments in Bangladesh, following the official disbanding of the Awami League, led by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina , under a hastily revised anti-terrorism law. The ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The ban on the Awami League (in Bangladesh) without due process is a concerning development. As a democracy, India is naturally concerned at curtailment of democratic freedoms and shrinking political space. We strongly support the early holding of free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh." The MEA's remarks came after India's successful conduct of its major counterterrorism military campaign, Operation Sindoor , launched on May 7 against Pakistan-backed terror infrastructure. On Monday, Bangladesh's home adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam announced at a media briefing that a gazette notification had been issued to formally outlaw the Awami League and its affiliated groups under the newly amended Anti-Terrorism Act, 2025. A senior official from Bangladesh's home ministry explained that the ban will remain in place until the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh (ICT-BD) completes trials of Awami League leaders and activists. The updated legislation now allows the government to ban not just individuals but also organisations deemed to be involved in terrorism. This power stems from Section 18 of the revised act, which was absent from the original 2009 version of the law. In a further blow to the former ruling party, the Election Commission of Bangladesh announced it had revoked the Awami League's registration, thereby disqualifying it from contesting future elections. The sweeping crackdown follows accusations of mass human rights violations by Awami League leaders during last year's student-led protests, which culminated in the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's 16-year rule on August 5, 2024. The United Nations reported that between July 15 and August 15, approximately 1,400 people were killed, many allegedly victims of retaliatory violence targeting Awami League supporters and police forces. On Saturday, the interim administration in Bangladesh led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus officially banned "all activities of Awami League", including its digital presence, citing provisions of the revised anti-terror law. Sheikh Hasina and her senior party leaders face charges of "crimes against humanity," including mass killings and enforced disappearances, particularly during their attempts to suppress last year's mass protests. Founded in 1949, the Awami League has been central to Bangladesh's political history, having spearheaded the autonomy movement in then East Pakistan and playing a key role in the country's 1971 Liberation War.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bangladesh bans Awami League under revised anti-terrorism law
Ban marks an escalation in govt bid to reshape post-Hasina political landscape (AP file photo) DHAKA: Bangladesh's interim govt took the unprecedented step of issuing a gazette notification banning all activities of Awami League - the country's oldest political party - and its affiliated outfits, in a move critics say reflects a deepening political crisis following the ouster of longtime PM Sheikh Hasina. The ban, enforced under a hastily amended Anti-Terrorism Act, marks a dramatic escalation in the Muhuammad Yunus-led govt's efforts to reshape the post-Hasina political landscape. The home ministry invoked Section 18 of the new Act to impose the ban, citing "reasonable grounds" that the party and its affiliates were involved in terrorism. The revised law permits govt to declare any 'entity' - not just individuals - as terrorist if sufficient grounds exist. According to the gazette, the ban will remain in effect until International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh completes the trials of Awami League members and activists accused of crimes against humanity during last year's anti-govt protests, which led to the ousting of Hasina on Aug 5, ending her 16-year rule. On Saturday, the interim govt announced the prohibition of all Awami League activities, including online engagement, press statements, and public gatherings. The following night, President Mohammed Shahabuddin promulgated an ordinance reinforcing the law by banning all forms of publicity or expression of support for individuals or entities charged under Section 18(1). Awami League has rejected govt's decision and vowed to continue its political activities "in an appropriate manner". The ban will be there until ICT completes the trial of the party and its leaders. Meanwhile, Gono Odhikar Parishad, a political party, has urged Election Commission to cancel the registration of Awami League and other members of the 14-party alliance, including Jatiya Party. However, the CEC, AMM Nasir Uddin, said, "Let the official notification come first. We are waiting for the gazette."
