Slogans chanted with Bangabandhu’s photo placed at AL office gate in Dhanmondi

A group of leaders of the Jubo Mohila League staged slogans in front of the gate of the Bangladesh Awami League political office in Dhanmondi, which had earlier been vandalised and set on fire following the July uprising that led to the fall of the government.

Around 8:30 am on Friday, February 20, 10–12 leaders and activists of the organisation were seen in front of House 51 on Road 3/A in Dhanmondi.

Speaking to the media over the phone, one leader of the organisation said, “Today we went taking some risk. This party office in Dhanmondi will become vibrant again.”

The Awami League was ousted from power on August 5, 2024, amid a student–public uprising. That day saw widespread vandalism and looting across the country. On the same day, attacks and arson were carried out at the Bangabandhu Bhaban on Road 32 in Dhanmondi as well as at the party president’s political office.

About six months later, some local individuals took position in the burnt building. Allegations of harassment were also raised when Awami League leaders and activists visited the site.

In May last year, the interim government imposed a ban on the activities of the Awami League and its associate bodies. Accordingly, the activities of the Jubo Mohila League also remain banned. Despite the restriction, several leaders appeared in front of the office with Bangabandhu’s photo and the national flag, chanted slogans for some time and then left.

Since 2002, the building had been used as the political office of the Awami League president. The three-storey building housed rooms for the party president, general secretary, office secretary and presidium members.

The second floor contained the office of the party mouthpiece Uttaran, while the third floor was used for the Awami League’s election management committee activities.

Although initially rented, the party purchased the building in its own name after returning to state power in 2009. After the Awami League secured a consecutive second term in 2014, two adjacent four-storey buildings were bought to expand the party president’s office.

At that time, the two buildings were purchased in the name of the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust. Leaders of the party’s subject-based central committees and members of central subcommittees used offices there. One of the rooms also housed a sales stall for various Awami League publications.