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On Friday night, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam warned that if the government does not promptly decide to ban the Awami League (AL), a nationwide "March to Dhaka" will be organised, similar to previous mass mobilisations. This warning was issued via a post on his verified Facebook page during the ongoing Shahbagh blockade.
In his statement, Nahid Islam emphasised that the sit-in at Shahbagh would continue and called upon all forces, regardless of political affiliation, to unite in the demand to ban the Awami League, citing concerns over national sovereignty, according to local media.
The protest at Shahbagh began earlier in the day, with Hasnat Abdullah, NCP's chief organiser for the southern region, leading a rally that moved from the Chief Adviser's residence to the Shahbagh intersection. By 5:00 PM, approximately a thousand protesters had gathered, chanting slogans demanding the banning of the Awami League.
The Shahbagh blockade is part of a broader movement that includes various political and student organisations, all calling for the prohibition of the Awami League's political activities. This movement follows the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after a mass uprising in July 2024, during which hundreds were killed.
Despite the formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, tensions persist over the Awami League's potential participation in future elections. Student leaders and NCP members have expressed strong opposition to any attempt to reintegrate the party into the political process without holding its leaders accountable for past actions.
The ongoing protests and blockades underscore the deep divisions within Bangladesh's political landscape and the demand for accountability and reform.