Today, 23 June, marks the 76th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Awami League, one of the country’s most historic and influential political parties. Founded in 1949 as the East Pakistan Awami Muslim League, the party played a central role in Bangladesh’s struggle for autonomy, democracy, and eventual independence.
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A Glance at the Founding and Evolution
The party was established on this day in 1949 at the famed Rose Garden Palace on KM Das Lane in Old Dhaka. At the time, it was the first organised and credible opposition in the then-Pakistan.
The inaugural council elected Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani as president and Shamsul Haque as general secretary. Although Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was imprisoned, he was named joint secretary by unanimous consent—signalling the start of his historic leadership.
In the second council held in 1953 in Mymensingh, Sheikh Mujib became general secretary. The party underwent a significant change during the third council in 1955, when the word “Muslim” was removed, and it was renamed the East Pakistan Awami League, reflecting a broader secular and inclusive political vision.
Following Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, the party adopted its present name, the Bangladesh Awami League, and became deeply embedded in the country’s national identity and democratic aspirations.
Legacy and Role in Nation-Building
From leading the Language Movement in 1952, to spearheading the Six-Point Movement and the Liberation War, the Awami League has been a defining force in Bangladeshi politics. Under Sheikh Mujib’s leadership, it guided the country through its birth pangs, attempting to rebuild war-ravaged institutions and launch social reform.
After Sheikh Mujib’s assassination in 1975, the party endured years of repression. It was rejuvenated by his daughter Sheikh Hasina, who returned from exile and later served multiple terms as Prime Minister. Her administration is credited with economic progress, infrastructure expansion, and major digital transformation—though it has also faced criticism over governance and press freedom.
Present Crisis: Ban and Silence
The party now finds itself at the heart of an unprecedented crisis. Following a series of student-led protests and violent confrontations earlier this year, an interim caretaker government has suspended the party’s registration and imposed a blanket ban on its political activities. The ban also extends to its affiliate bodies, including the Bangladesh Chhatra League.
As a result, Awami League leaders have gone underground and some of them left the country. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains in exile and is currently facing trial in absentia for alleged involvement in state-led violence during the July–August 2024 protests. These events, described by international observers as a turning point, saw significant casualties and prompted calls for transitional justice.
No Celebrations This Year
Given the current ban, the party has refrained from organising any official events to commemorate its founding. In contrast to previous years marked by rallies, speeches, and mass tributes to Bangabandhu, today’s anniversary is passing in silence.
Unofficial tributes, however, were seen on social media, with party sympathisers sharing images, memories, and messages honouring the party’s legacy. A discreet floral offering at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s mausoleum in Tungipara was also reported by local sources.
Looking Ahead
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, has postponed general elections, promising reforms and electoral transparency before any return to democratic rule. However, questions remain about political inclusion and the future of a nation now functioning without its most dominant political party.
The banning of the Awami League—regardless of political stance—is a historic moment for Bangladesh. Whether it marks the end of an era or the beginning of a new political chapter remains to be seen.