Protesters blocked Shahbagh today, demanding a ban on the Awami League. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, May 9, 2025 (BSS) – Thousands of Protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection on Friday demanding a ban on the Awami League (AL), after National Citizen Party Chief Organizer (South) Hasnat Abdullah’s announcement from the July Manch mass rally. 

Protesters said they would continue to blockade Shahbagh until a notification is published by the interim government banning the AL.

The protesters began gathering at Shahbagh around 5:00 PM, marching in from various directions, including a number of protesters from the direction of the InterContinental Hotel. 

Earlier, the protesters joined the July Manch rally on Minto Road around 12pm after a sit-in of over 14 hours in front of the state guest house, Jamuna.
Hasnat made the announcement around 4:30pm on Friday from the July Manch rally, organised to demand a ban on the AL. Hasnat said they will blockade Shahbagh until the interim government publishes a notification banning the AL. 

“Our second uprising phase will begin from here. We are ready to shed our last drop of blood and continue for a year if needed, but we will not leave this ground until the Awami League is banned,” Hasnat said.

Prior to announcing the Shahbagh blockade, Hasnat said that the interim government is trying to reach a consensus with political parties to ban the AL. “Instead of consulting political parties, the interim government should consult the families of those injured and martyred in the July uprising,” he said.
Earlier, on Thursday night after 10pm, a group of protesters took position in front of the Chief Adviser’s residence, Jamuna, under Hasnat’s leadership.
 
Leaders and activists from various student organizations, including Jamaat-e-Islami, AB Party, Chhatra Shibir, Islamic Movement Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam, and participants of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, expressed solidarity with the demand to ban the Awami League.

Around 1am, a procession led by NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossein, along with central leaders of the party, joined the sit-in in front of Jamuna.