DHAKA, Bangladesh — Police in Bangladesh detained three supporters of the opposition Awami League on Sunday for chanting the slogan “Joy Bangla” during a protest in the capital, Dhaka. Among them was a disabled man whose reported beating has drawn widespread condemnation.
The protest began near the Vashani Hockey Stadium in Gulistan, where about 100 Awami League activists from Narayanganj gathered to march against comments made by Pakistan’s foreign minister. Police dispersed the crowd and arrested Md. Shakil, Md. Raju and Md. Saeed Sheikh, officials said.
Md. Rezwan, an assistant deputy commissioner with Motijheel Zone police, said the group initially shouted “Remove Yunus, Save the Country” before switching to the Awami League slogan “Joy Bangla.” He said the three are being questioned.
Rights groups and party leaders condemned the treatment of Saeed Sheikh, who was orphaned and disabled l as a child and raised by his grandmother. Critics say Awami League activists have faced a harsh crackdown since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government fell on Aug. 5, 2024, under an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
