After ten months of political uncertainty and unrest, the central office of the Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue in the heart of Dhaka, Bangladesh, has come alive once again. On Sunday, May 18, 2025, the iconic location resonated with passionate slogans from hundreds of Awami League activists and supporters. Party leaders declared the office “reclaimed” and vowed to stand firm against what they termed “anti-state conspirators.”
This resurgence follows a dramatic shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape last year, which, according to Awami League leaders, resulted in the “unconstitutional and foreign-backed” takeover of power by a government led by Nobel Laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. They accuse Dr. Yunus and his allies of manipulating international support to oust the democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Wave of Protests Across the Capital
The wave of protest began at 3:00 PM, with a massive procession originating from Asad Gate. Thousands of activists marched through key streets of Dhaka, eventually converging at Dhanmondi 32, where they paid homage to the portrait of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Simultaneous demonstrations took place in key areas including Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Tejgaon, Motijheel, and Uttara, with district and metropolitan units of the Awami League organizing parallel rallies.
Activists were seen waving national flags, holding placards, and chanting slogans such as:
“If anything happens to Sheikh Hasina, fire will burn in Yunus’s throne”
“Yunus of Washington, go back to Washington”
“The power of the people will resist all conspiracies”
“Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”
“No to puppet regimes, restore democracy now”
Leaders’ Statements
Awami League central committee member Khalilur Rahman addressed the crowd near the party headquarters, stating,
“The people of Bangladesh will never accept any foreign-imposed regime. Dr. Yunus may have friends in the West, but he has no place among the people of this land. Our commitment to Sheikh Hasina and the ideals of Bangabandhu is unwavering.”
Another senior leader, Abdur Razzak, added,
“The time has come to reclaim every inch of our political space, both on the streets and within the institutions. This movement is not about one party—it is about restoring the people’s mandate and defending the soul of the nation.”
Political Analysis
Political analysts view the Awami League’s return to street politics as a significant shift. After months of silence and what appeared to be suppression, the party is showing signs of reorganization and grassroots mobilization. Many believe the event at Bangabandhu Avenue could mark the beginning of a broader political resistance movement.
Experts also suggest that the ruling administration may face increasing domestic and international pressure if large-scale protests continue. Questions over legitimacy, lack of electoral mandate, and suppression of dissent have already been raised by human rights organizations and regional observers.
Security Measures and Public Response
In anticipation of unrest, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police deployed a substantial number of officers throughout the capital. Armored vehicles and riot control units were stationed near strategic points, including key intersections, government buildings, and the Prime Minister’s residence in Dhanmondi. Despite the tense atmosphere, the day’s events remained largely peaceful.
Some local residents expressed mixed reactions—while many showed support for the return of democratic expression, others voiced concerns over the possibility of prolonged instability.
The Awami League’s reappearance at its central office after a ten-month hiatus marks a critical moment in Bangladesh’s evolving political crisis. Whether this signals the start of a larger opposition movement or remains a symbolic gesture of resistance, one thing is clear: the political arena of Bangladesh is far from settling.
