Interim government announces ban on Chhatra League - Voices For Democracy

The interim government of Bangladesh has banned the organizational activities of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the Awami League. The decision was announced on Wednesday evening (October 23) through a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, citing the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009, as the legal basis for the ban.

The ministry’s statement highlighted that BCL has been involved in various criminal activities since the country’s independence, particularly during the past 15 years of alleged authoritarian rule. It accused the organization of engaging in violence, extortion, sexual abuse, and tender manipulation, with documented evidence reported by major media outlets. In several cases, the involvement of BCL members in violent crimes was confirmed through court verdicts.

According to the notification, BCL activists carried out armed attacks during the anti-discrimination student movement on July 15, killing numerous innocent students and citizens. The ministry further claimed that even after the Awami League government’s fall on August 5, BCL remained involved in conspiratorial activities against the state.

Invoking the Anti-Terrorism Act, the government declared BCL a banned entity and listed it under Schedule-2 of the act. The decision is effective immediately.

BCL’s image has deteriorated in recent years due to high-profile incidents, such as the 2012 public killing of tailor Bishwajit Das and the 2019 murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad. Despite its historical contributions to movements like the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War, and the 1990 anti-autocracy protests, recent misconduct has tarnished the organization’s legacy.

The ban came just before Thursday’s deadline set by the National Citizens’ Committee and the ongoing student protests demanding the dissolution of BCL.