Dhaka, August 1, 2025 —
Despite a growing campaign of repression by Bangladesh’s interim military-backed regime, supporters and activists of the Awami League (AL) are reportedly regrouping across the country. Underground meetings, flash rallies, and encrypted online communications are helping mobilize party loyalists in what some observers are calling a “political rehearsal for return.”
Over the past month, Bangladesh has witnessed a wave of arrests, media censorship, and escalating restrictions on political freedoms. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police and intelligence branches confirmed the arrest of 22 AL activists, including a senior female leader, youth wing members, and a former government official, following a covert gathering at Bashundhara’s KB Convention Center on July 8.
Police described the meeting as a “banned political rally” and alleged that participants discussed plans for public demonstrations and Sheikh Hasina’s political return. Critics argue that such interpretations stretch legal boundaries. “Holding political discussions and expressing allegiance to a political leader is not a crime under the Constitution,” said a former civil rights lawyer anonymously, citing fears of reprisal.
Allegations and Contradictions
Law enforcement officials accused attendees of forming secretive WhatsApp groups such as “F71 Guerilla” and “Bangabandhu Generation” to coordinate training and protest strategies. Authorities say the meeting included “political rehearsals” and slogans deemed anti-government. However, analysts point out the inconsistency of labeling a 400-person event as “secret,” calling the charge “a tool for silencing dissent.”
The crackdown has also extended to digital platforms. While apps like WhatsApp are not banned in Bangladesh, the government has criminalized their use for political communication, branding it as “subversive activity.”
According to police, a military officer—Major Sadikul Haque—was detained for allegedly renting the second floor of the convention center to facilitate “political training.” The military’s public relations wing (ISPR) issued a statement Friday acknowledging the investigation and pledging punitive action if allegations prove true.
Political observers see this as a disturbing sign. “Dragging the military into a civilian political matter shows either deep paranoia or a desire to intimidate others through symbolic arrests,” said a former diplomat.
Media Distortion and Civilian Fear
Independent reporting on these events has become rare. Most mainstream outlets are either silent or echo official narratives. “Some media houses are operating as propaganda arms of the regime,” alleges a Dhaka University media researcher. “They present these meetings as terrorist conspiracies.”
According to leaked documents and opposition-aligned journalists, the July 8 meeting was peaceful and lacked any illegal activity. Participants refrained from displaying AL banners, citing security concerns. Despite this, five days later, on July 13, authorities filed cases under Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Act.
The climate of fear has intensified. Several meeting attendees remain missing, and others have gone underground. Yet, small AL units across Bangladesh persist with organizing efforts, aiming to restore what they describe as the “constitutional legitimacy” of Sheikh Hasina’s leadership.
Repression and Democratic Erosion
The interim regime, widely believed to have come to power with backing from religious hardliners and segments of the armed forces, has imposed sweeping curbs on opposition activity since early 2025. International human rights bodies such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have raised concerns about enforced disappearances, political detentions, and suppression of dissent.
On Friday, the ISPR emphasized its commitment to a fair internal probe into Major Sadik’s role but remained vague on timelines. Meanwhile, political commentators warn of further escalations. “This pattern of suppression will push Bangladesh further away from democratic norms,” says noted journalist and Bangladesh analyst Saiful Amin.
The struggle continues — not only for political power but for the soul of the nation. If repression is the state’s only answer to civic organization, then, as activists argue, “the path back to democracy will be long, painful, and inevitable.”
