Shahbagh blockade halts traffic amid demands to ban AL

Shahbagh in Dhaka came to a standstill on Friday as several political, cultural, and social groups—including the National Citizen Party (NCP), Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Inqilab Mancha—blocked roads demanding a formal ban on the Awami League.

The blockade, which began at 4:50 PM, was led by NCP’s chief organizer Hasnat Abdullah. As the demonstration commenced, participants chanted slogans such as “My brother lies in a grave, why are the killers free?”, “No compromise, this is a people's struggle”, “Ban, Ban, Ban the Awami League”, and “Delhi or Dhaka?”

The blockade brought vehicular movement to a halt in all directions from Shahbagh—toward Science Lab, TSC, and Bangla Motor—causing severe traffic disruption in the heart of the capital.

Earlier in the day, from a rally held in front of the Chief Adviser’s residence at State Guest House Jamuna, Hasnat Abdullah declared that the Shahbagh blockade would continue until an official gazette banning the Awami League was issued. “We are now taking to the streets. We will not leave Shahbagh until the government announces a ban on the Awami League,” he stated.

Following his speech, a procession marched toward Shahbagh, where they began occupying the intersection and enforcing the blockade.

This followed an overnight sit-in in front of Jamuna, where demonstrators demanded a clear roadmap for legal action and a political ban on the Awami League.