The Awami League, Bangladesh’s former ruling party, has announced a series of protests set to begin on February 1, demanding the resignation of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus. The opposition party accuses the Yunus administration of “oppression,” particularly against the minority Hindu community, amid rising political tensions in the country.
The Awami League’s call for protests comes after the fall of the Hasina-led government on August 5, 2024, following a student-led anti-discrimination movement. The party’s leaders, many of whom have either been arrested or are in hiding, are now mobilizing their supporters to demand the resignation of the current interim government.
In a statement posted on their official social media, the Awami League announced plans for nationwide hartals (strikes) on February 16 and 18, aiming to press the government for its resignation. These protests are expected to disrupt daily life and intensify the political unrest in Bangladesh, which has been simmering for months.
The political future of Bangladesh is at a crossroads as the Awami League’s protests signal a major challenge to the current interim administration. With human rights groups calling for an end to retaliatory arrests and the protection of basic freedoms, the coming weeks will be crucial for the nation’s political stability.
