Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh – June 25, 2025:
Rajia Sultana Shampa, a prominent female leader and treasurer of the Chapainawabganj district unit of the Bangladesh Awami League’s women’s wing, was detained by police on Tuesday night, June 24, 2025, for celebrating the banned Awami League’s founding anniversary. The arrest has sparked renewed discussions about freedom of speech in Bangladesh following the political upheaval of July 2024, which many had hoped would usher in an era of greater democratic freedoms.
Shampa, also known as a local entrepreneur, was apprehended at her residence in Shiyala Colony, Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila, after a video surfaced on social media showing her cutting a cake to mark the Awami League’s anniversary at a trade fair stall. The fair, organized by the Chapainawabganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ran from May 10 to June 22, 2025, at the town’s old stadium. Shampa had rented a stall to sell children’s toys, but the video, which went viral, drew widespread criticism for promoting activities linked to the Awami League, a party banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act since May 10, 2025.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, outlawed all Awami League activities following allegations of the party’s involvement in violent crackdowns during the student-led protests of July and August 2024, which resulted in over 1,400 deaths, according to a United Nations report. The party’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, was also banned in October 2024, labeled a “terrorist organization” for its alleged role in attacks on protesters. The Election Commission suspended the Awami League’s registration on May 12, 2025, effectively barring it from participating in upcoming elections.
The officer-in-charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station, Matiur Rahman, confirmed Shampa’s arrest, stating, “She was detained on charges of engaging in activities on behalf of a banned organization. We are consulting with higher authorities to take necessary legal action.”
Abdul Wahed, president of the Chapainawabganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, claimed he was unaware of any Awami League anniversary celebrations at the fair. Meanwhile, Abdur Rahim, convener of the district’s Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, noted that the viral video appeared to have been recorded at the trade fair, fueling public outrage.
The arrest comes amid growing concerns about freedom of speech in Bangladesh. After the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, following a mass uprising, many Bangladeshis anticipated a restoration of democratic rights, including freedom of expression. However, critics argue that the interim government’s actions, including the ban on the Awami League and arrests of its supporters, mirror the repressive tactics previously employed by the Awami League against opposition groups like Jamaat-e-Islami. Human Rights Watch recently criticized the ban, warning that restricting speech or activities associated with a political party constitutes an “excessive restriction on fundamental freedoms.”
The Awami League, once a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s liberation movement in 1971, has faced accusations of authoritarianism and electoral fraud during its 15-year rule under Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, 2024. The party’s ban and the ongoing arrests of its leaders and activists have divided public opinion. Some, like Jahangir Alam, whose son was killed during the 2024 protests, support the crackdown, holding Hasina and her party responsible for mass violence. Others, including political analysts, argue that banning a historic party risks undermining democratic principles and could alienate its millions of supporters.
As Bangladesh prepares for elections expected by June 2026, the interim government’s handling of political dissent and freedom of speech remains under scrutiny. Shampa’s arrest highlights the ongoing tension between ensuring accountability for past atrocities and preserving democratic freedoms in a nation still healing from recent political turmoil.
The Awami League, in a Facebook post, dismissed the interim government’s actions as “illegitimate,” signaling continued resistance from the party’s remaining leadership, many of whom are in hiding or exile. As the International Crimes Tribunal continues its investigations into the party’s alleged crimes, the future of political pluralism in Bangladesh hangs in the balance.
