The Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh has intensified its crackdown on the Awami League, arresting former Secretary Abu Alam Mohammad Shahid Khan and six others under the Anti-Terrorism Act, fueling political tensions and drawing sharp condemnation from the opposition.
The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh has intensified its crackdown on the opposition Awami League, with police arresting former Secretary Abu Alam Mohammad Shahid Khan and six others on Monday in connection with a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Deputy Commissioner Talebur Rahman, the arrests were linked to the participation of the accused in a recently held roundtable discussion organised by the platform Mancha 71 at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). Police alleged that the meeting attempted to incite unrest and destabilise the country through “armed struggle.”
Abu Alam, who previously served as Deputy Press Secretary to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the Awami League’s tenure from 1996 to 2001, was detained from his residence in the early hours of Monday. Local media reported that five other Awami League leaders and activists were also taken into custody from different parts of Dhaka.
The Case Against the Accused
The Shahbagh Police Station registered a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act, alleging that the event organised by Mancha 71 on August 28 sought to “undermine the nation’s stability.” Police claim that the speeches and discussions at the DRU roundtable could have encouraged violent resistance against the state.
This is not the first instance of arrests linked to the Mancha 71 event. On August 28, police detained 16 individuals, including former minister and veteran freedom fighter Abdul Latif Siddique and Dhaka University Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman, on similar charges. The following day, all 16 were sent to jail after being produced before the court.
Recently, a Bangladesh court rejected the bail petitions of Siddique and journalist Monjurul Alam Panna in the alleged anti-terrorism case, further escalating tensions.
The Roundtable Incident
The controversy stems from the discussion titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh” held by Mancha 71. During the event, Dhaka University Professor Hafizur Rahman accused certain groups of attempting to undermine Bangladesh’s constitution and dishonour the legacy of the 1971 Liberation War.
“We are witnessing that an ill attempt is going on to throw away the country’s constitution. Jamaat, Shibir, and National Citizen Party (NCP) are behind this. Led by Muhammad Yunus, they have been humiliating freedom fighters with garlands of shoes,” Rahman was quoted by Prothom Alo.
Following his remarks, the atmosphere at the DRU auditorium turned tense. A group of people reportedly stormed the hall, tore down banners, confined participants, and later handed them over to the police.
Awami League’s Response
The Awami League has strongly condemned the ongoing crackdown, calling the arrests an assault on the spirit of the Liberation War. In a statement, the party described the detainees, many of whom are freedom fighters or individuals inspired by the 1971 movement, as victims of “mob terrorism and political vendetta.”
“Since the illegal usurpation of state power by the murderous fascist Yunus clique, the people of the country have witnessed their ongoing attempts to dishonour, humiliate, and insult the Great Liberation War and our freedom fighters,” the Awami League said in a strongly worded statement.
The party further alleged that the Yunus government is targeting leaders and activists associated with the Awami League as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and consolidate power.
Political Tensions Rising
The arrest of Abu Alam and others marks the continuation of a broader campaign by the interim government, which has consistently invoked the Anti-Terrorism Act against opposition voices. Critics argue that the Yunus administration is using these laws as a tool to silence political rivals, while supporters of the interim government insist that the measures are necessary to maintain order and prevent subversive activities.
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As political tensions rise, observers warn that the government’s actions could deepen divisions and provoke further unrest across the country. With the Awami League rallying behind its detained members and accusing the Yunus administration of authoritarianism, Bangladesh faces a volatile political climate.
The coming weeks are expected to be crucial, as courts continue to deliberate on the bail appeals and the Yunus government seeks to justify its sweeping crackdown in the face of mounting domestic and international criticism.
