Why concerns over Awami League’s founding anniversary?

The upcoming 77th founding anniversary of Awami League to be held on June 23, 2026, raised concerns over the possibility of ‘large-scale attacks’ across Bangladesh. 

Following reports of the sudden appearance of the party’s exiled and underground leaders and activists, cocktail explosions in the capital city of Dhaka and other areas, and extensive activities on social media platforms, police security has been strengthened in Dhaka and other major cities across the country. Based on intelligence information, the Police Headquarters sent a special message to all district and metropolitan police units instructing them to remain on maximum alert.

Law enforcement agencies and local sources said that activists of Juba League, whose activities are banned in Bangladesh, carried out flash processions in several areas of the capital on Thursday night. 

During the processions, several cocktails were suddenly detonated, creating panic, and the participants left the area within moments. Such small-scale “flash processions” and motorcycle rallies by the party’s affiliated organizations have also been reported from several district towns late at night.

After remaining inactive for a long period, the sudden attempt by the party’s leaders and activists to return to the streets ahead of the founding anniversary, along with the cocktail explosion incidents, is being viewed by the police as ‘preparations for major acts of sabotage’.

However, DMP says, “June 23 is the founding anniversary of a political party. We are on alert regarding it. As in the past, necessary security measures have been taken to ensure the safety of city residents. Security checkpoints remain in operation at various locations. These activities will continue.”

Alongside activities on the ground, Awami League and its affiliated organizations have also become highly active in the virtual space. Over the past few days, a series of posts, videos, and propaganda materials have been disseminated through the party’s official and unofficial pages on platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and TikTok.

According to analysts, a significant portion of social media is now under the influence of the party’s activists and supporters. They are calling on supporters to take to the streets on the occasion of the June 23 founding anniversary and are making determined efforts to build public opinion against the current government.

Intelligence agencies have reported that a dedicated cell is working to spread confusion among the public through cyberspace and to energize field-level activists.

This sudden surge in Awami League activities has renewed political tension and concern in the country. Among the public, a major question now is whether the country is heading toward another major confrontation. Speculation has arisen at the grassroots level over whether the Awami League is planning to make a major comeback by delivering a significant impact on June 23.
Political analysts believe that although the party’s top leadership remains abroad, the remaining field-level elements see this founding anniversary as their last opportunity to prove their existence. 

For this reason, they want to demonstrate their presence on the streets at any cost, which has become a major source of concern for public safety and the country’s stability.

To deal with the evolving situation, police have issued a stern warning. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have stated that no attempt to disrupt public safety and security will be tolerated.

Police say additional personnel have been deployed at key intersections and entry points across the capital and the country, and search checkpoints have been established. Suspected individuals are being searched, and the number of night patrol officers has been doubled.