Bangladesh bans Chhatra League amid protests
Interim government responds to student demands, bans Awami League's student wing
On Wednesday, Bangladesh’s interim government banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student organisation led by the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League. The decision came in response to demands from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which had called for the ban.
A notification from Senior Secretary Md Abdul Momen of the Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted the BCL’s involvement in activities disrupting public safety over the past 15 years. These activities included murder, rape, torture, harassment in student dormitories, and tender manipulation. The notification stated there was ample evidence of the student body continuing such activities against the State even after the Awami League government fell.
Sheikh Hasina fled to India on 5 August amidst violent protests against her government, which resulted in hundreds of deaths since mid-July. During the Anti-Discrimination movement, BCL leaders and activists armed themselves and attacked protesting students and the public, killing hundreds and endangering many more, according to the notification.
✨ Mahmudur Rahman, acting editor of the daily Amar Desh, banning Chhatra League as a "terrorist organisation" within seven days.
📍 Mon Oct 7, 2024
BAN CHHATRA LEAGUE!!!
SHOULD BE SOCIALLY BOYCOTT!!! pic.twitter.com/RyNyNKx3eh— Musfiq Anam (@Musfiq_Anam13) October 19, 2024
The interim government declared the ban on the Bangladesh Chhatra League under Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009. The organisation was listed as a banned entity with immediate effect. “The ban will come into effect immediately,” read the notification.
The order followed a five-point demand laid out by protesters from the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement on Tuesday. These demands included scrapping Bangladesh’s Constitution, removing President Shahabuddin, and banning the Chhatra League.
“Bangladesh and Dhaka University are now free from stigma. We would like to thank the interim government,” said Nusrat Tabassum, a coordinator of the student movement, at Raju Sculpture of the country’s premier university.
The BCL, established in 1948 at Dhaka University, was a “brotherly” or “fraternal” organisation of the Awami League and regarded as the party’s student wing.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Week reports that Bangladesh’s interim government bans Awami League-backed Chhatra League under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing disruptive activities and violent protests.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did the interim government ban the Bangladesh Chhatra League?
Due to its involvement in activities disrupting public safety, including murder, rape, and harassment.
When did Sheikh Hasina flee to India?
She fled to India on 5 August.
What law was used to ban the Bangladesh Chhatra League?
The ban was declared under Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009.
What were some demands of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement?
Their demands included scrapping Bangladesh’s Constitution and removing President Shahabuddin.
When was the Bangladesh Chhatra League established?
The BCL was established in 1948 at Dhaka University.
