In a bold and decisive move, the interim government of Bangladesh has banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student organization affiliated with the Awami League, following an outcry from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The decision marks a significant moment in the country’s political landscape. BCL, once led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has long been associated with power within the educational institutions.
The official notification, signed by Md Abdul Momen, Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division, was released on October 23. The document outlined serious accusations against the Awami League government, claiming that over its 15-year reign, the administration and its student wing had engaged in criminal activities that endangered public safety. These activities included murders, rape, assaults in student dormitories, and widespread manipulation of tenders. The notification emphasized that even after the fall of the Awami League, the BCL continued its pattern of violence and misconduct.
The ban, imposed under Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009, took immediate effect, signalling the interim government’s intent to restore order and security. The swift action followed persistent demands from the student-led movement, which had long protested the BCL’s influence and abuse of power on university campuses nationwide.
Nusrat Tabassum, one of the prominent leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, expressed her relief and gratitude, declaring, "Bangladesh and Dhaka University are now free from stigma. We would like to thank the interim government." She made these remarks during a gathering at the iconic Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University, where the movement had gained momentum.
This ban comes just one day after the student group laid out a five-point demand, which included the removal of President Shahabuddin and the complete overhaul of Bangladesh's constitution. The ban on the Chhatra League signals a critical turning point as the interim government seeks to stabilize the country amidst increasing political unrest.