The Bangladesh Awami League, or the Awami League (AL), is one of the most prominent and influential political parties in Bangladesh. As the oldest existing political party in the country, it has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s history, both before and after the Bangladesh Liberation War. Despite the controversies and challenges it has faced, the Awami League remains one of the two most dominant political forces in Bangladesh, alongside its arch-rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The party’s enduring influence and its ability to rally the masses have made it a formidable player in the country’s political landscape
Let’s dive into the intriguing story behind the word “Awami,” which has its roots in the Arabic noun “Awam,” meaning “of the people.” This powerful term has found its way into the lexicon of various languages, including Azerbaijani, Farsi, Hindi, and Urdu, each lending it a unique cultural flair. The salutation “Joy Bangla” (Bengali: জয় বাংলা; meaning “Victory to Bengal” or “Long live Bengal”) is the official slogan of the Awami League. It was the slogan and war cry of the Mukti Bahini that fought for the independence of Bangladesh during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The party flag of the Awami League is green with a vertical red stripe at the hoist side and a four-pointed red star in the centre. The Awami League’s former Pakistani origins are demonstrated by a slight similarity to the Pakistani flag. The four stars on the flag stand for the four guiding ideas of the party. The Awami League has been characterized as secular (though this is debatable), social-democratic, social-liberal, and economic-liberal with a historically rooted albeit still significant ideological foundation that combines left-wing nationalism, socialism, and democratic-socialism. The foundational ideas of the party and the historical significance of nationalism in the Independence War comprise the bulk of its nationalist perspective.
During its tenure as the ruling party from 2009 to 2024, the Awami League has been widely criticized for its authoritarian and dictatorial tendencies. Critics have accused the party of consolidating power, stifling dissent, and undermining democratic institutions. However, the party’s supporters argue that its strong leadership and decisive actions were necessary to maintain stability and drive the country’s development forward. From its inception as a regional voice for Bengali autonomy to becoming a pivotal force in Bangladesh’s political landscape, the East Pakistan Awami Muslim League has shaped the nation’s history through its relentless pursuit of independence and its enduring impact on contemporary politics.
The East Pakistan Awami Muslim League was established in Dhaka on 23rd June 1949, by Bengali nationalists Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani and Shamsul Huq. By 1954, the United Front coalition led by the Awami League had won 143 out of 237 seats in East Bengal’s provincial elections, with 223 seats won by the coalition. This triumph demonstrated the party’s strength and dedication to granting East Bengal more provincial autonomy, especially with Khaleque Nawaz Khan’s historic victory over the then-prime minister, Nurul Amin. In September 1956, the Awami League formed a coalition with the Republican Party and took over the Central Government under the leadership of Hussein Shaheed Suhrawardy. The Awami League was founded in East Bengal, which would later become East Pakistan, as a counter to the Muslim League’s centralization and dominance. Despite his struggles to alleviate food shortages, Suhrawardy’s tenure was distinguished by efforts to address economic disparities between East and West Pakistan and to increase Bengali representation in the government, which was unsuccessful.
Discord inside the Awami League resulted from the group’s attempt to join SEATO and CENTO, in an attempt to strengthen its strategic position under Prime Minister Suhrawardy. An early supporter of the foreign policy change, Maulana Bhashani split to form the National Awami Party (NAP) in February 1957, following a contentious conference. The elite of Karachi opposed Suhrawardy’s plans to establish a national shipping company and send US aid to East Pakistan, which would have furthered the political unrest. Suhrawardy resigned on 10th October 1957, as a result of this opposition and lobbying efforts. On 7th October 1958, President Iskander Mirza issued an executive order imposing martial law. General Ayub Khan was named to replace President Mirza and outlawed major political parties, including the Awami League. Student protests against Ayub’s regime, which was characterized by indirect elections and increased discrimination against Bengalis, were sparked by rumours after Suhrawardy’s unexplained death in 1963.
The party was led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through the Six Point Movement and the 1971 Non-Cooperation Movement. Most people in East Pakistan supported the Six Demands, which called for more autonomy in the Pakistani provinces. The Awami League, led by Mujibur Rahman, gained enormous popularity after the Agartala Conspiracy Case and the fall of Ayub Khan’s government. It secured a majority in East Pakistan’s National Assembly in the 1970 elections by winning 167 of 169 seats, while in West Pakistan it secured none. The leaders of West Pakistan found this result unacceptable, which sparked the Bangladesh Liberation War. The people of Bangladesh battled for nine months, ultimately winning independence on 25th March 1971 despite Mujibur Rahman’s arrest.
Following its victory in Bangladesh’s first general elections under independence in 1973, the Awami League’s notoriety grew. In January 1975, facing violent leftist insurgents, Mujibur Rehman declared a state of emergency and later assumed the presidency after the Awami League-dominated parliament decided to switch from a parliamentary to a presidential form of government. Sheikh Mujibur Rehman renamed the League the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League and banned all other parties. However, the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 dealt a serious blow to the party. BAKSAL was dissolved after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and many Awami League leaders were put to death or imprisoned by the military regimes that followed, marginalizing the organization. Rahman’s family, including his wife and young son, were assassinated by a group of subordinate officers under the command of Major Faruk Rahman and Major Rashid. Because they were in West Germany for a cultural exchange program, Mujibur Rahman’s daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana managed to survive. Afterwards, they applied for political asylum in the UK, where Rehana settled down for good, and Hasina relocated to India to live in a self-imposed exile. For the benefit of her party’s future, Hasina’s time overseas enabled her to forge important political ties both in India and the West.
The Awami League again became a significant political force following the re-establishment of democracy in 1990. While Bangladesh has seen a reversal of democratic progress since the party came to power in 2009, it has seen tremendous growth under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership beginning with her return in 1981. The chronicles of the Awami League depict its progression from a grassroots movement advocating for regional autonomy to a prominent political entity skilfully manoeuvring through the complexities of a recently declared independent state.
Sheikh Hasina, the world’s longest-serving female head of state, served as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister for nearly 20 years. The recent collapse of Bangladesh’s Awami League serves as a cautionary tale. Hasina fled Bangladesh on 5th August 2024 amid unprecedented anti-government protests led by students against the controversial quota system that reserved 30% of government jobs for the descendants of freedom fighters. This system, originally introduced by her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1972, had been abolished but was reinstated by the High Court in 2021, leading to escalating unrest.
On 15th June 2024, the protests intensified after Hasina labelled the protesters as “Razakars” (traitors), sparking violent clashes. Before fleeing, Hasina’s crackdown resulted in over 300 deaths, mostly students, with thousands detained and injured. The Awami League, founded by her father who was pivotal in Bangladesh’s independence, faced relentless attacks as Hasina’s party became the protesters’ new target. Following her resignation, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed as Chief Adviser in the interim government. Hasina now faces 53 cases, including charges of murder, crimes against humanity, and genocide, while her party remains under siege in Bangladesh.
As Bangladesh continues to evolve and navigate the complexities of its political landscape, the Awami League’s role and its impact on the nation’s future will undoubtedly continue to be a subject of intense scrutiny and debate. Nonetheless, the party’s legacy as a champion of Bangladeshi independence and its continued prominence in the country’s political arena are undeniable. This dramatic turn of events highlights the fragility of political systems that prioritize the preservation of power over the genuine representation of the people. It’s a stark reminder that even the most well-intentioned movements can succumb to the temptations of authoritarianism if they lose sight of their core values. As we ponder the fate of the Awami League, we’re left to wonder: can the lofty ideals of “of the people” ever truly be realized in a world where the quest for power so often overshadows the will of the masses? It’s a question that echoes across the globe, a testament to the enduring struggle for true democratic governance.
As John F. Kennedy has rightly said, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” This underscores the urgent need for meaningful dialogue and reform in Bangladesh to prevent the escalation of unrest. Only by addressing the root causes of dissatisfaction can lasting peace and stability be achieved.
Written by Shruti Shiraguppi
Edited by Sualiha Khan
