Bangladesh deploys army ahead of Awami League foundation day

The Bangladesh government has deployed army personnel in Dhaka and five other key areas until June 30, citing security concerns and possible unrest ahead of the founding anniversary of the Awami League on Tuesday, June 23. The move has also renewed questions over the continued blanket ban on one of the country’s largest and oldest political parties. According to a directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday, troops have been deployed in Dhaka, Chattogram and Gazipur metropolitan areas, as well as Narayanganj, Gopalganj and Faridpur districts. The government said intelligence reports indicated risks of sabotage, unlawful gatherings and possible deterioration of the law-and-order situation. 
Police authorities have also issued nationwide alerts, warning of potential clashes if Awami League supporters attempt to observe the party’s founding anniversary through processions, flag hoisting or other programmes. More than 18,000 police personnel have been deployed in Dhaka, alongside additional checkpoints, intelligence surveillance and rapid response teams. 
The Awami League, which governed Bangladesh for many years and remains one of the country’s largest political forces, has been barred from political activities since May 2025 following a decision by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. The ban remains in place pending trials of senior party leaders, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, before the International Crimes Tribunal over allegations related to the 2024 mass uprising. 
The latest security measures have intensified debate over the implications of banning a party that continues to command significant political support. Critics argue that restricting the activities of a major political party and preventing even symbolic observance of its founding anniversary could further narrow Bangladesh’s political space and deepen political polarisation. Political observers have also questioned whether security concerns alone justify a blanket prohibition on the activities of a party that has played a central role in Bangladesh’s political history and the country’s independence movement.
The government, however, maintains that the restrictions are necessary to prevent violence, maintain public order and ensure that ongoing legal proceedings are not undermined. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the deployment was based on intelligence reports indicating possible subversive activities and insisted that the overall law-and-order situation remains under control.