Awami League#Authoritarianism

File:First Flag of Bangladesh Awami League (1947-1971).svg

East Pakistan Awami Muslim League was formed as a breakaway faction of the Muslim League in 1949, within two years of the formation of Pakistan. The word Muslim was dropped in 1953 and it became a secular party.{{Cite news |last=Paracha |first=Nadeem F. |date=2017-01-26 |title=The Muslim League: A factional history |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1310662 |access-date=2023-01-31 |work=Dawn |language=en}} The word Awami is the adjectival form for the Urdu word Awam, which means "people"; thus the party's name can be translated as Bangladesh People's League. During the Bangladesh War of Independence of 1971, most Awami League members joined the Provisional Government of Bangladesh and Mukti Bahini to fight against the Pakistan army and the name Bangladesh Awami League was eventually settled upon.

File:বাংলাদেশ আওয়ামী লীগের প্রতীক.svg is the symbol used by the Awami League.]]

The most common electoral symbol for the party has been a traditional boat,{{Cite book |last=Riaz |first=Ali |title=God willing: the politics of Islamism in Bangladesh |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2004 |isbn=0-7425-3084-1 |page=152}} a recognizable and relatable image in riverine Bangladesh.

The salutation Joy Bangla ({{langx|bn|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 phrase Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu is used by the party members at the end of speeches and communications pertaining to or referring to the devotion towards Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib.

The Awami League party flag is a green field with four five-rayed red star at its centre, and a vertical red stripe at the hoist side. The flag also bears some resemblance to the flag of Pakistan, showing the ex-Pakistani origin of the Awami League. The four stars on the Flag represent the four fundamental principles of the party.

{{Main|History of Awami League}}

File:Rose Garden Old Dhaka.jpg, birthplace of the Awami League in 1949]]

During the post-Mughal era, no political parties existed in the area known as Bangla or Bangal. After the British arrived and established government, the system of political representation (though much later) was adopted in the area of Bangla (Bengal) or introduced in Bengal. After the official departure of the British, the area known as East Bengal became a part of Pakistan, and the establishment of the Muslim was led by its founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his Muslim League party.

In 1948, there was rising agitation in East Bengal against the omission of Bengali script from coins, stamps and government exams. Thousands of students, mainly from the University of Dhaka, protested in Dhaka and clashed with security forces. Prominent student leaders including Shamsul Huq, Khaleque Nawaz Khan, Shawkat Ali, Kazi Golam Mahboob, Oli Ahad, and Abdul Wahed were arrested and the police were accused of repression while charging protesters. In March, senior Bengali political leaders were attacked whilst leading protests demanding that Bengali be declared an official language in Pakistan. The leaders included A. K. Fazlul Huq, the former Prime Minister of undivided Bengal.{{Cite book |last=Al Helal |first=Bashir |author-link=Bashir Al Helal |title=Bhasa Andolaner Itihas |date=2003 |publisher=Agamee Prakashani |isbn=978-984-401-523-4 |location=Dhaka |pages=263–265 |language=bn |trans-title=History of the Language Movement}} Amidst the rising discontent in East Bengal, Jinnah visited Dhaka and announced that Urdu would be the sole state language of Pakistan given its significance to Islamic nationalism in South Asia.{{Cite book |last=Uddin |first=Sufia M. |title=Constructing Bangladesh: Religion, Ethnicity, and Language in an Islamic Nation |publisher=The University of North Carolina Press |year=2006 |isbn=0-8078-3021-6 |pages=1–4}} The announcement caused an emotional uproar in East Bengal, where the native Bengali population resented Jinnah for his attempts to impose a language they hardly understood on the basis of upholding unity. The resentment was further fuelled by rising discrimination against Bengalis in government, industry, bureaucracy and the armed forces and the dominance of the Muslim League. The Bengalis argued that they constituted the ethnic majority of Pakistan's population and Urdu was unknown to the majority in East Bengal.Muhammad Shahidullah, The Azad, 29 July 1947 Moreover, the rich literary heritage of the Bengali language and the deep rooted secular culture of Bengali society led to a strong sense of linguistic and cultural nationalism amongst the people of East Bengal.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} The only significant language in Pakistan not written in the Persian-Arabic script was Bengali.{{Cite book |last=Shafqat |first=Sahar |title=Civil Wars of the World: Major Conflicts Since World War II |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-85109-919-1 |editor-last=DeRouen |editor-first=Karl Jr. |volume=II |page=594 |chapter=Pakistan (1971) |editor-last2=Heo |editor-first2=Uk}} Against this backdrop, Bengali nationalism began to take root within the Muslim League and the party's Bengali members began to take a stand for recognition.

On 23 June 1949, Bengali nationalists from East Bengal broke away from the Muslim League, Pakistan's dominant political party, and established the East Pakistan Awami Muslim League.{{Cite news |date=23 June 2024 |script-title=bn:আওয়ামী লীগের প্লাটিনাম জয়ন্তী আজ |url=https://www.banglatribune.com/politics/awami-league/852025/আওয়ামী-লীগের-প্লাটিনাম-জয়ন্তী-আজ |work=Bangla Tribune |language=bn}} Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani and Shamsul Huq were elected the first president and general secretary of the party respectively, Ataur Rahman Khan was elected the vice-president, Yar Mohammad Khan was elected as the treasurer, while Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad and A. K. Rafiqul Hussain were elected the party's first joint secretaries.{{Cite news |last=Hussain |first=Ahmede |date=31 July 2009 |title=Promises to Keep |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/magazine/2009/07/05/cover.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512070722/http://archive.thedailystar.net/magazine/2009/07/05/cover.htm |archive-date=12 May 2017 |access-date=11 February 2016 |work=The Daily Star |series=Star Weekend Magazine}} The party was formed to champion the rights of the masses in Pakistan against the powerful feudal establishment led by the Muslim League. However, due to its strength stemming from the discriminated Bengali population of Pakistan's eastern wing, the party eventually became associated and identified with East Bengal.

File:Rally on 21Feb1954 Abdul Hamid and Bangabandhu.jpg Day of 1953]]

In 1952, the Awami Muslim League and its student wing played an instrumental role in the Bengali Language Movement, during which Pakistani security forces fired upon protesting students demanding Bengali be declared an official language of Pakistan, killing a number of students including Abdus Salam, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Abul Barkat and Abdul Jabbar.Dhaka Medical College Hostel Prangone Chatro Shomabesher Upor Policer Guliborshon. Bishwabidyalayer Tinjon Chatroshoho Char Bekti Nihoto O Shotero Bekti Ahoto" (in Bengali). The Azad. 22 February 1952. The events of 1952 are widely seen by historians today as a turning point in the history of Pakistan and the Bengali people, as it was the starting point of the Bengali nationalist struggle that eventually culminated in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.

File:1954 east bengal cabinet.jpg in East Bengal, 1954]]

Hussein Shaheed Suhrawardy, who had been the All-India Muslim League (AIML)-nominated prime minister of Bengal in 1937 and held the same office after 1946 elections, did not agree to 'Muslim League' as the name of AIML in Pakistan. He initiated the thought that the ideal of political representation under religious identity was no longer prudent after independence and the organisation might be called the 'Pakistan League'. Moreover, he claimed that the Muslim League's objective of struggling to form a nation state had been achieved therefore political representation should continue focusing on nationalism based on Pakistani sovereignty. Suhrawardy's suggestion was not accepted and he parted ways with the party to be re-established as the Awami League in 1949. This was to serve the first shock to the country's political structure. In 1953, the party's council meeting voted to drop the word "Muslim". In the run-up to the 1954 East Bengal Legislative Assembly election, the Awami League took the lead in negotiations in forming a pan-Bangla political alliance including the Krishak Praja Party, Nizam-e-Islam and Ganatantri Dal. The alliance was termed the Jukta Front (United Front) and formulated the Ekush Dafa, or 21-point Charter, to fight for establishing rights in East Pakistan. The party also took the historic decision to adopt the traditional Bengali boat, which signified the attachment to rural Bengal, as its election symbol.

The election in April 1954 swept the United Front coalition into power in East Bengal with a massive mandate of 223 seats out of 237 seats. The Awami League itself won 143 seats while the Muslim League won only 9 seats. Veteran student leader and language movement stalwart Khaleque Nawaz Khan defeated incumbent prime minister of the then East Bengali Nurul Amin in a landslide margin. Amin was defeated in his home Nandail constituency. Khaleque Nawaz Khan created history at age 27 by defeating the sitting prime minister and the Muslim League was wiped from the political landscape of the then East Pakistan. A. K. Fazlul Huq assumed the office of Chief Minister of East Bengal and drew up a cabinet containing many of the prominent student activists that were leading movements against the Pakistani state. They included Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the Awami League, who served as commerce minister.

Leaders of the new provincial government demanded greater provincial autonomy for East Bengal and eventually succeeded in pressuring Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Bogra, himself a Bengali, to endorse the proposed constitutional recognition of Bengali as an official language of Pakistan. The United Front also passed a landmark order for the establishment of the Bangla Academy in Dhaka.The Azad, 22 April 1954

As tensions with the western wing grew due to the demands for greater provincial autonomy in East Bengal, Governor-General Ghulam Muhammad dismissed the United Front government on 29 May 1954 under Article 92/A of the provisional constitution of Pakistan.

In September 1956, the Awami League formed a coalition with the Republican Party to secure a majority in the new National Assembly of Pakistan and took over the central government. Awami League President Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy became the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Suhrawardy pursued a reform agenda to reduce the long-standing economic disparity between East and West Pakistan, greater representation of Bengalis in the Pakistani civil and armed services and he unsuccessfully attempted to alleviate the food shortage in the country.{{Cite web |date=July 2003 |title=H. S. Suhrawardy Becomes Prime Minister |url=http://www.storyofpakistan.com/articletext.asp?artid=A061 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104094331/http://www.storyofpakistan.com/articletext.asp?artid=A061 |archive-date=4 November 2011 |access-date=30 April 2013 |website=Story of Pakistan}}

The Awami League also began deepening relations with the United States. The government moved to join the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) and Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO), the two strategic defence alliances in Asia inspired by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Maulana Bhashani, one of the party's founders, condemned the decision of the Suhrawardy government and called a conference in February 1957 at Kagmari, Tangail in East Bengal. He protested the move and the support lent by the Awami League leadership to the government. Bhashani broke away from the Awami League and then formed the leftist National Awami Party (NAP).

Yar Mohammad Khan funded the 5-day Kagmari Conference and was the treasurer of the conference committee.

The controversy over 'One Unit' (the division of Pakistan into only two provinces, east and west) and the appropriate electoral system for Pakistan, whether joint or separate, also revived as soon as Suhrawardy became prime minister. In West Pakistan, there was strong opposition to the joint electorate by the Muslim League and the religious parties. The Awami League however, strongly supported the joint electorate. These differences over One Unit and the appropriate electorate caused problems for the government.

By early 1957, the movement for the dismemberment of the One Unit had started. Suhrawardy was at the mercy of the central bureaucracy fighting to save the One Unit. Many in the business elite in Karachi were lobbying against Suhrawardy's decision to distribute millions of dollars of American aid to East Pakistan and to set up a national shipping corporation. Supported by these lobbyists, President Iskander Mirza demanded the Prime Minister's resignation. Suhrawardy requested to seek a vote of confidence in the National Assembly, but this request was turned down. Suhrawardy resigned under threat of dismissal on 10 October 1957.

On 7 October 1958, President Mirza declared martial law and appointed army chief General Ayub Khan as Chief Martial Law Administrator. Khan eventually deposed Mirza in a bloodless coup.{{Cite web |date=June 2003 |title=Ouster of President Iskander Mirza |url=http://storyofpakistan.com/ouster-of-president-iskander-mirza |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012007/http://storyofpakistan.com/ouster-of-president-iskander-mirza/ |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=8 April 2016 |website=Story of Pakistan}} By promulgating the Political Parties Elected Bodies Disqualified Ordinance, Khan banned all major political parties in Pakistan. Senior politicians, including the entire top leadership of the Awami League, were arrested and most were kept under detention until 1963.

In 1962, Khan drafted a new constitution, modelled on indirect election, through an electoral college, and termed it 'Basic Democracy'. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy joined Nurul Amin, Khwaja Nazimuddin, Maulvi Farid Ahmed and Hamidul Haq Chowdhury in forming the National Democratic Front against Ayub Khan's military-backed rule and to restore elective democracy. However the alliance failed to obtain any concessions. Instead the electoral colleges appointed a new parliament and the President exercised executive authority.

Widespread discrimination prevailed in Pakistan against Bengalis during the regime of Khan. The University of Dhaka became a hotbed for student activism advocating greater rights for Bengalis and the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.{{Cite book |last=Ray |first=Jayanta Kumar |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12643 |title=Democracy and nationalism on trial: a study of East Pakistan |date=1968 |publisher=Indian Institute of Advanced Study |page=[https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12643/page/n240 224]}}

On 5 December 1963, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy was found dead in his hotel room in Beirut, Lebanon. His sudden death under mysterious circumstances gave rise to speculation within the Awami League and the general population in East Pakistan that he had been poisoned.

File:Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Announcing 6 Points At Lahore.jpg in Lahore, 1966]]

The 6-point demands, proposed by Mujib, were widely accepted by the East Pakistani populace, as they proposed greater autonomy for the provinces of Pakistan. After the so-called Agartala Conspiracy Case, and subsequent end of the Ayub Khan's regime in Pakistan, the Awami League and its leader Sheikh Mujib reached the peak of their popularity among the East Pakistani Bengali population. In the elections of 1970, the Awami League won 167 of 169 East Pakistan seats in the National Assembly but none of West Pakistan's 138 seats. It also won 288 of the 300 provincial assembly seats in East Pakistan.{{Cite web |date=June 2003 |title=General Elections 1970 |url=http://storyofpakistan.com/general-elections |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012008/http://storyofpakistan.com/general-elections/ |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=1 November 2015 |website=Story of Pakistan}}{{Cite web |title=Islamic Pakistan |url=http://ghazali.net/book1/body_chapter_5.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012011/http://ghazali.net/book1/body_chapter_5.htm |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=16 December 2004 |website=ghazali.net}} This win gave the Awami League a healthy majority in the 313-seat National Assembly and placed it in a position to establish a national government without a coalition partner. This was not acceptable to the political leaders of West Pakistan and led directly to the events of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The Awami League leaders, taking refuge in India, successfully led the war against the Pakistan Army throughout 1971. Leader Sheikh Mujib was arrested by the Pakistan Army on 25 March 1971, but the Bangladeshi people continued the fight to free themselves for nine months.

After victory on 16 December 1971, the party formed the national government of Bangladesh. In 1972, under Sheikh Mujib, the party name was changed to "Awami League". The new government faced many challenges as they rebuilt the country and carried out mine clearing operations. The party had pro Pakistani newspaper editors arrested and shut down the nations' newspapers leaving only four in operation.{{Cite news |date=14 February 2014 |title=BNP demands immediate elections |url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2014/02/14/18927 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012012/https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/ |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=16 February 2014 |work=The Financial Express |location=Dhaka}} Food shortages were also a major concern of the Awami League. War had damaged all forms of farming. The party aligned itself with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and leaned towards the Soviet bloc. The party was accused of corruption by supporters of Pakistan. In 1974 Bangladesh suffered a famine: 70,000 people died, and support for Mujib declined. Bangladesh continued exporting jute to Cuba, violating US economic sanctions, the Nixon government barred grain imports to Bangladesh. This exacerbated famine conditions.

In January 1975, facing violent leftist insurgents Mujib declared a state of emergency and later assumed the presidency, after the Awami League dominated parliament decided to switch from parliamentary to a presidential form of government. Sheikh Mujib renamed the League the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL), and banned all other parties. The consequences lead to a critical political state. BAKSAL was dissolved after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The move towards a secular form of government caused widespread dissatisfaction among many low ranking military personnel, most of whom received training from the Pakistani army. On 15 August 1975 during the time of Major General K. M. Shafiullah as a Chief of the Army Staff, some junior members of the armed forces in Dhaka, led by Major Faruk Rahman and Major Rashid, murdered Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all his family members, including his wife and minor son. Within months, on 3 November 1975, four more of its top leaders, Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Muhammad Mansur Ali and A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman were killed inside the Dhaka Central Jail as they were on behalf of BAKSAL. Only Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, daughters of Mujib, survived the 1988 Chittagong Massacre as they were in West Germany as a part of a cultural exchange program. They later claimed political asylum in the United Kingdom. Sheikh Rehana, the younger sister, chose to remain in the UK permanently, while Sheikh Hasina moved to India and lived in self-imposed exile. Her stays abroad helped her gain important political friends in the West and in India that proved to be a valuable asset for the party in the future.

File:Shoirachar Nipat Jaak - Noor Hossain @ Awami League Rally on Nov 10 1987.jpg

After 1975, the party remained split into several rival factions and fared poorly in the 1979 parliamentary elections held under a military government. In 1981 Sheikh Hasina returned as Ziaur Rahman allowed her to return after the largest party faction, the Awami League elected her its president, and she proceeded to take over the party leadership and unite the factions. As she was under age at the time she could not take part in the 1981 presidential elections that followed the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman. Throughout the following nine years of military rule by Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad the Awami League participated in some polls but boycotted most as Ershad did not believe in democracy. On 7 May 1986, Awami League participated in the general election of Bangladesh staged by military ruler Lt. Gen. H. M. Ershad even though the other major political party and the winner of previous elections Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted. British observers including a journalists termed the elections a "tragedy for democracy" and a "cynically frustrated exercise".{{Cite news |last=Liton |first=Shakhawat |date=28 August 2010 |title=Ershad's desperate bids go in vain |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-152587 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619213834/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-152587 |archive-date=19 June 2018 |access-date=9 April 2017 |work=The Daily Star}}

The Awami League emerged as the largest opposition party in parliament in the elections in 1991, in which Khaleda Zia became the first female prime minister.

AL's second term in office had mixed achievements. Apart from sustaining economic stability during the Asian economic crisis, the government successfully settled Bangladesh's long standing dispute with India over sharing the water of the river Ganges (also known as Padma) in late 1996, and signed a peace treaty with tribal rebels in 1997. In 1998, Bangladesh faced one of the worst floods ever, and the government handled the crisis satisfactorily. It also had significant achievements in containing inflation, and peacefully neutralising a long-running leftist insurgency in south-western districts dating back to the first AL government's time. However, rampant corruption allegations against party office bearers and ministers as well as a deteriorating law and order situation troubled the government. Its pro poor policies achieved wide microeconomic development but that left the country's wealthy business class dissatisfied. The AL's last months in office were marred by sporadic bombing by alleged Islamist militants. Hasina herself escaped several attempts on her life, in one of which two anti-tank mines were planted under her helipad in Gopalganj district. In July 2001, the second AL government stepped down, becoming the first elected government in Bangladesh to serve a full term in office.

The party won only 62 out of 300 parliamentary seats in the elections held in October 2001, despite winning 40% of the votes, up from 36% in 1996 and 33% in 1991. The BNP and its allies won a two-thirds majority in parliament with 46% of the votes cast, with BNP alone winning 41%, up from 33% in 1996 and 30% in 1991.

In its second term in opposition since 1991, the party suffered the assassination of several key members. Popular young leader Ahsanullah Master, a member of parliament from Gazipur, was killed in 2004. This was followed by a grenade attack on Hasina during a public meeting on 21 August 2004, resulting in the death of 22 party supporters, including party women's secretary Ivy Rahman, though Hasina lived. Finally, the party's electoral secretary, ex finance minister, and veteran diplomat Shah M S Kibria, a member of parliament from Habiganj, was killed in a grenade attack in Sylhet later that year.

In June 2005, the Awami League won an important victory when the AL nominated incumbent mayor A.B.M. Mohiuddin Chowdhury won the important mayoral election in Chittagong, by a huge margin, against BNP nominee State Minister of Aviation Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin. This election was seen as a showdown between the Awami League and the BNP. However, the killing of party leaders continued. In December 2005, the AL supported Mayor of Sylhet narrowly escaped the third attempt on his life as a grenade thrown at him failed to explode.{{Cite news |date=2 December 2005 |title=Grenade aimed at Sylhet Mayor |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4493430.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012019/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4493430.stm |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=31 March 2009 |work=BBC News}}

In September 2006, several of the party's top leaders, including Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP and Asaduzzaman Nur MP, were hospitalised after being critically injured by police beatings while they demonstrated in support of electoral-law reforms. Starting in late October 2006, the Awami League led alliance carried out a series of nationwide demonstrations and blockades centring on the selection of the leader of the interim caretaker administration to oversee the 2007 elections. Although an election was scheduled to take place on 22 January 2007 that the Awami League decided to boycott, the country's military intervened on 11 January 2007 and installed an interim government composed of retired bureaucrats and military officers.

Throughout 2007 and 2008, the military backed government tried to root out corruption and remove Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia of the AL and BNP respectively.{{Cite news |title=Mahfuz Anam secures anticipatory bail |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/apr/05/mahfuz-anam-secures-anticipatory-bail |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012021/https://www.dhakatribune.com/error |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=8 April 2016 |work=Dhaka Tribune}} While these efforts largely failed, they succeeded in producing a credible voter list that was used on 29 December 2008 national election.

The Awami League won the national election held on 29 December 2008 as part of a larger electoral alliance that also included the Jatiya Party led by former military ruler Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad as well as some leftist parties. According to the Official Results,{{Cite news |date=30 December 2008 |title=2008 Election Results |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aq.x6pBU49lE&refer=asia |access-date=5 March 2017 |work=Bloomberg}} Bangladesh Awami League won 230 out of 300 constituencies, and together with its allies, had a total of 262 parliamentary seats.{{Cite journal |last=Momen |first=Mehnaaz |date=January–February 2009 |title=Bangladesh in 2008: Déjà Vu Again or a Return to Democracy? |journal=Asian Survey |volume=49 |issue=1 |pages=72 |doi=10.1525/as.2009.49.1.66 |jstor=as.2009.49.1.66}} The Awami League and its allies received 57% of the total votes cast. The AL alone got 48%, compared to 36% of the other major alliance led by the BNP which by itself got 33% of the votes. Sheikh Hasina, as party head, became the new prime minister. Her term of office began in January 2009.{{Cite news |last=Tusher |first=Hasan Jahid |date=31 December 2008 |title=Hasina wants to work with opposition |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=69406 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012016/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-69406 |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=31 December 2008 |work=The Daily Star}} The second Hasina cabinet had several new faces, including three women in prominent positions: Dr Dipu Moni (Foreign Minister), Matia Chowdhury (Agriculture Minister) and Sahara Khatun (Home Minister). Younger MPs with a link to assassinated members of the 1972–1975 AL government were Sayed Ashraful Islam, son of Syed Nazrul Islam, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, son of Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, and Sohel Taj, son of Tajuddin Ahmad.

File:Sayed Ashraful Islam speaking at 5th Agro Tech Bangladesh, 28-30 May, 2015 at Basundhara International Convention City, Dhaka 18.jpg, General Secretary of the Awami League, speaking at the 5th Bangladesh Agro Tech Fair in Dhaka on 28 May 2015]]

Since 2009, the Awami League government faced several major political challenges, including BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) mutiny,{{Cite news |last=Ramesh |first=Randeep |date=25 February 2009 |title=Troops' revolt rocks Bangladesh capital |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/feb/25/bangladesh-mutiny-soldiers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012012/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/feb/25/bangladesh-mutiny-soldiers |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=8 April 2016 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} power crisis,{{Cite news |title=Power crisis likely to end in 2012 |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-157754 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012013/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-157754 |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=8 April 2016 |work=The Daily Star}} unrest in garments industry{{Cite news |title=Garment sector in dire straits |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-143791 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012019/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-143791 |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=8 April 2016 |work=The Daily Star}} and stock market fluctuations.{{Cite news |title=Stocks: Party is over. What next? |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-171052 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012020/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-171052 |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=8 April 2016 |work=The Daily Star}} Judicial achievements for the party included restoring original 1972 constitution, returning secularism to the constitution,{{Cite news |title=Secularism back |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-157212 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012048/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-157212 |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=8 April 2016 |work=The Daily Star}} beginning of war crimes trials,{{Cite news |date=13 January 2011 |title=US offers to help Bangladesh pursue war crimes trial |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12183361 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012025/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12183361 |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=21 June 2018 |work=BBC News}} and guilty verdict in 1975 assassination trial.{{Cite news |date=27 January 2010 |title=Bangladesh hangs killers of independence leader Mujib |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8483988.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012048/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8483988.stm |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=22 January 2011 |work=BBC News}} According to the Nielsen 2-year survey, 50% felt the country was moving in the right direction, and 36% gave the government a favourable rating.{{Cite news |date=6 January 2011 |title=Nielsen Survey, 2 Year Rating |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2011/01/govt's_second_year/p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012023/http://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2011/01/govt%27s_second_year/p1.html |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=1 November 2015 |work=The Daily Star}}

In the 2014 election the Awami League led alliance won a second term of which 154 Members (out of 300) of Parliament were selected where there were no election . Only 5% voter attended in the polling station and cast their votes. The opposition and one of the most popular parties (BNP) boycotted the election for removing the caretaker government (neutral government) system from the constitution after completion of 5 years tenure.{{Cite news |title=Economy, stability highlights of Awami League's second successive tenure |url=http://bdnews24.com/politics/2016/01/12/economy-stability-highlights-of-awami-league-s-second-successive-tenure |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423224730/http://bdnews24.com/politics/2016/01/12/economy-stability-highlights-of-awami-league-s-second-successive-tenure |archive-date=23 April 2016 |access-date=8 April 2016 |work=bdnews24.com}}{{Cite news |last=Barry |first=Ellen |date=4 January 2014 |title=Opposition Party Boycotting Bangladesh Election |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/05/world/asia/bangladesh-election.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012029/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/05/world/asia/bangladesh-election.html |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=6 April 2017 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}} With 21 people dead due to the violence during election, along with further human rights abuses and an absence of opposition, this was one of the controversial general elections in Bangladesh's history.{{Cite news |date=15 January 2014 |title=Bangladesh has little to celebrate after the most violent election day in its history |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/15/bangladesh-violent-elections-dead-human-rights-abuses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012027/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/15/bangladesh-violent-elections-dead-human-rights-abuses |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=6 April 2017 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} This election was further tainted by arrests where dozens of opposition leaders and members were taken into custody.

Amid this crackdown of opposition, in 2018, another election was held where BNP and all major opposition parties took part. That election was marred by allegations of widespread electoral fraud, harassment of political opposition and imprisonment of opposition activists. The opposition alleged the complicity of law enforcement forces in compromising the integrity of the electoral process.{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh: Freedom in the World 2024 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/bangladesh/freedom-world/2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829152537/https://freedomhouse.org/country/bangladesh/freedom-world/2024 |archive-date=29 August 2024 |access-date=29 August 2024 |website=Freedom House}}

On 7 January 2024, the twelfth National Parliamentary elections were held which were boycotted by BNP and major opposition parties. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) condemned this process as one-sided and farcical.{{Cite web |title=৭ জানুয়ারি নির্বাচন একপাক্ষিক-পাতানো: টিআইবি |url=https://www.jugantor.com/national/764115/%E0%A7%AD-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%81%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118014434/https://www.jugantor.com/national/764115/%E0%A7%AD-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%81%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF |archive-date=18 January 2024 |access-date=29 August 2024}} The election saw Awami League again clinching a landslide victory, winning 224 out of 300 directly elected seats. The 62 elected members who contested the election as independents largely aligned with AL.{{Cite web |date=7 January 2024 |title=দ্বাদশ জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচনের ফলাফল – প্রথম আলো |url=https://election.prothomalo.com/election-result/2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107175011/https://election.prothomalo.com/election-result/2024 |archive-date=7 January 2024}}

On 5 June 2024, The High Court of Bangladesh reinstated the controversial Job Quota System, sparking countrywide students protests. On 4 July 2024, The Appellate Division refused to rescind the verdict. As a result, protests intensified. Then the Appellate Division imposed a stay on the ruling but protesters continued to carry on their movement unless the government agreed to their demands of taking a firm step for reforming the quota system. Prime Minister Hasina ignited controversy by her statement:

{{Blockquote|text=If the grandchildren of freedom fighters don't get quota benefits, will those then go to the grandchildren of the Razakars? That's my question to the countrymen.}}

Protesters were further galvanized at this comment. Bangladesh Students' League, aided by the Police and other agencies, violently cracked down on the protesters. In spite of that crackdown, the protests could not be quelled. The government imposed internet shutdown as well as curfews to forcefully stop the momentum of the movement. Eventually, the protests morphed into a movement aimed at ensuring the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. On 5 August 2024, millions of protesters defied curfew orders and marched towards Ganobhaban. Consequently, Hasina resigned and left Bangladesh for India.{{Cite web |last=রিপোর্ট |first=স্টার অনলাইন |date=16 August 2024 |title=কোটা সংস্কার যেভাবে রাষ্ট্র সংস্কার আন্দোলনে পরিণত হলো |url=https://bangla.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/quota-protest/news-606171 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829152536/https://bangla.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/quota-protest/news-606171 |archive-date=29 August 2024 |access-date=29 August 2024 |website=The Daily Star Bangla}} This ended 15 years of continuous awami rule in Bangladesh.

In the immediate aftermath of the fall of the AL government, many of its leaders went into hiding. The properties and residences of many AL leaders were looted, vandalized and set on fire.{{Cite web |title=১৪ দল এখন কী করবে? |url=https://www.banglatribune.com/politics/awami-league/857488/%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AA-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829152537/https://www.banglatribune.com/politics/awami-league/857488/%E0%A7%A7%E0%A7%AA-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87 |archive-date=29 August 2024 |access-date=29 August 2024 |website=Bangla Tribune}} Many ministers and influential politicians from AL have been arrested and taken into remand.{{Cite web |date=29 August 2024 |title=সাবেক বাণিজ্যমন্ত্রী টিপু মুনশিসহ এ পর্যন্ত যারা গ্রেপ্তার হলেন |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cy76mljvk2yo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829152537/https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cy76mljvk2yo |archive-date=29 August 2024 |access-date=29 August 2024 |website=BBC News বাংলা}} Many of them were prohibited from leaving Bangladesh.{{Cite web |date=29 August 2024 |title=বিবিসি বাংলা লাইভ- শেখ মুজিব পরিবারের নিরাপত্তা আইন বাতিল, গুমবিরোধী আন্তর্জাতিক সনদে স্বাক্ষর |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/live/c0jpvj105pnt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829152545/https://www.bbc.com/bengali/live/c0jpvj105pnt |archive-date=29 August 2024 |access-date=29 August 2024 |website=BBC News বাংলা}} The bank accounts of many AL leaders and their families have also been frozen.{{Cite web |last=প্রতিবেদক |first=নিজস্ব |date=28 August 2024 |title=শেখ সেলিম ও তাঁর পরিবারের সদস্যদের ব্যাংক হিসাব জব্দ |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/business/bank/b0zpsjzz05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829152537/https://www.prothomalo.com/business/bank/b0zpsjzz05 |archive-date=29 August 2024 |access-date=29 August 2024 |website=Prothomalo}}{{Cite web |date=28 August 2024 |title=ওবায়দুল কাদেরের ব্যাংক হিসাব জব্দ |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/economics-business/news/bd/1383052.details |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829152536/https://www.banglanews24.com/economics-business/news/bd/1383052.details |archive-date=29 August 2024 |access-date=29 August 2024 |website=banglanews24.com}}

The student wing of Bangladesh Awami League has been officially banned by the Government of Bangladesh from all types of political and organizational activities and declared as a terrorist organization on 23 Oct 2024.{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh Bans Student Wing Of Ex-PM's Party Under Anti-terror Laws |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/bangladesh-bans-student-wing-of-ex-pm-s-party-under-anti-terror-laws-37148030 |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=www.barrons.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2024-10-23 |title=Bangladesh government bans student wing of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League under anti-terror law |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/bangladesh-government-cracks-down-on-student-wing-of-sheikh-hasinas-awami-league-bans-it-under-anti-terror-law/articleshow/114516054.cms |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

On 10 May 2025, the interim government of Bangladesh banned all activities of the Awami League in cyberspace and elsewhere under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the International Crimes Tribunal completes the trial of the party and its leaders.{{cite news |title=Govt bans AL until completion of ICT trial |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/govt-bans-al-until-completion-ict-trial-3891566 |access-date=10 May 2025 |work=The Daily Star |date=10 May 2025}}{{cite news |title=Awami League activities banned until trial completed |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/politics/flnudeetie |access-date=10 May 2025 |work=Prothom Alo |date=10 May 2025 |language=en}} In continuation of this, on 12 May 2025, the Election Commission of Bangladesh suspended the registration of the Awami League as a party.{{cite news |title=Awami League's registration suspended |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/politics/a9cbmxgtyl |access-date=12 May 2025 |work=Prothom Alo |date=12 May 2025 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Election Commission suspends Awami League's registration |url=https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/election-commission-suspends-awami-leagues-registration |access-date=12 May 2025 |work=The Financial Express |date=12 May 2025 |language=en}}

{{Update section|date=September 2024}}

{{Further|Mujibism}}

As a big tent party,{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Awami League {{!}} political party, Bangladesh |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Awami-League |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007172633/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Awami-League |archive-date=7 October 2024 |access-date=7 November 2024 |website=Britannica}}{{Cite web |last=Dwivedi |first=Madhu shree |date=23 October 2024 |title=The Awami League at a Crossroads: Navigating Political Upheaval and Future Challenges in Bangladesh |url=https://www.icwa.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=1&ls_id=11959&lid=7252 |access-date=7 November 2024 |website=Indian Council of World Affairs}}}} the party has been labelled as centrist{{refn|{{Cite web |date=23 October 2019 |title=YouTube |script-title=bn:আওয়ামী লীগ ও বিএনপি দুটোই মধ্যপন্থী রাজনৈতিক দল {{!}} AL & BNP are both Centrist Parties |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=PTL3VyZByMNOtuT |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=YouTube |publisher=Bobby Hajjaj |language=bn}}{{Cite journal |last=Nazneen |first=Sohela |date=March 2009 |title=Bangladesh: Political Party Discourses and Women's Empowerment |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317689703 |url-status=live |journal=South Asian Journal |issue=24 |pages=44–52 |issn=1729-6242 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012006/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317689703_Bangladesh_Political_Party_Discourses_on_Women%27s_Empowerment |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=14 March 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh: Political Trends and Key Players |url=https://www.orfonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/st_issue2.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012001/https://www.orfonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/st_issue2.pdf |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=Observer Research Foundation}}{{Cite news |date=13 January 2013 |script-title=bn:পরস্পর বিরোধী আদর্শের রাজনীতি সহঅবস্থানের কৌশল ও নীতি দরকার |url=https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/amp/502710/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%0D%0A%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8C%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%93 |work=The Daily Ittefaq}}}} and centre-left.{{refn|{{cite journal |title=Desiring home: A long-term ethnography of a mosque in Lisbon |first=José |last=Mapril |doi=10.1086/731097 |journal=HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory

|volume=14 |issue=2 |year=2024 |url=https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/731097 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |quote="Soon after, a new prayer room was created, a few meters from the Baitul Mukarram, due to disputes and debates between secular (connected with the center-left Awami league) and more conservative (connected with the Islamic Forum in the United Kingdom) Bangladeshi sectors." |page=393}}{{cite journal |url=https://pism.pl/publications/eu-us-watching-parliamentary-elections-in-bangladesh-with-concern |title=EU, U.S. Watching Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh with Concern |date=5 January 2024 |first=Patryk |last=Kugiel |quote="However, only one party really counts, the centre-left Awami League (People’s League, or AL), which has been in power since 2009." |journal=PISM Bulletin |publisher=Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych |volume=2 |issue=2310 |page=1 |editor1=Sławomir Dębski |editor2=Łukasz Kulesa |editor3=Rafał Tarnogórski}}{{cite web |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2024-08-07/sheikh-hasina-the-eternal-leader-of-bangladesh-ousted-due-to-her-authoritarian-drift.html |title=Sheikh Hasina, the eternal leader of Bangladesh ousted due to her authoritarian drift |date=7 August 2024 |website=El País |location=Madrid |first=Alejandra |last=Agudo |quote="With the 76-year-old at the helm, the center-left Awami League first came to power in 1996 and, in two separate terms, ruled for 20 years."}}{{Cite news |date=23 December 2018 |title=Bangladesh election: Voters prepare to go to polls amid 'atmosphere of fear' for opposition activists |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/bangladesh-election-latest-voters-violence-opposition-awami-league-bnp-sheikh-hasina-khaleda-zia-a8695111.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012000/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/bangladesh-election-latest-voters-violence-opposition-awami-league-bnp-sheikh-hasina-khaleda-zia-a8695111.html |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=12 September 2019 |work=The Independent |quote=Politics in Bangladesh has been dominated for years by the rivalry between Ms Hasina's centre-left, socially and economically liberal Awami League and the more right-wing BNP with Begum Zia at its helm.}}{{Cite book |last=Shehabuddin |first=Sarah Tasnim |title=Routledge handbook of contemporary Bangladesh |publisher=Routledge |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-315-65101-9 |pages=17–39 |chapter=Bangladesh Politics Since Independence |access-date=19 June 2024 |chapter-url=https://sai.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/docs/Shehabuddin%20Bangladeshi%20Politics%20Chapter%201+2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615194842/https://sai.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/docs/Shehabuddin%20Bangladeshi%20Politics%20Chapter%201+2.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2024 |url-status=live}}}} It has been described as secular{{refn|{{Cite web |date=5 January 2024 |title=ASIA/BANGLADESH – "The secular politics of the Awami League is the key to popular consensus", notes a priest on the eve of the vote |url=https://www.fides.org/en/news/74574-ASIA_BANGLADESH_The_secular_politics_of_the_Awami_League_is_the_key_to_popular_consensus_notes_a_priest_on_the_eve_of_the_vote |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620090134/https://www.fides.org/en/news/74574-ASIA_BANGLADESH_The_secular_politics_of_the_Awami_League_is_the_key_to_popular_consensus_notes_a_priest_on_the_eve_of_the_vote |archive-date=20 June 2024 |access-date=20 June 2024 |website=Agenzia Fides}}{{Cite web |date=4 January 2024 |title=The Violent Politics of Bangladesh's 2024 Elections |url=https://acleddata.com/2024/01/04/the-violent-politics-of-bangladeshs-2024-elections/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618093501/https://acleddata.com/2024/01/04/the-violent-politics-of-bangladeshs-2024-elections/ |archive-date=18 June 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=acleddata.com}}{{Cite web |last=Mazumdar |first=Jaideep |date=8 November 2022 |title=Bangladesh's Ruling Awami League Plans To Restore Country's Original Constitution, Repeal Amendment That Made It An 'Islamic' Nation |url=https://swarajyamag.co/amp/story/world/bangladeshs-ruling-awami-league-plans-to-restore-countrys-original-constitution-repeal-amendment-that-made-it-an-islamic-nation |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=Swarajyamag}}{{Cite news |last=Hassan |first=Sohrab |date=13 August 2022 |title=Who is AL's ideological friend? |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/opinion/op-ed/chvs9o0rf1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101104042/https://en.prothomalo.com/opinion/op-ed/chvs9o0rf1 |archive-date=1 November 2023 |access-date=19 June 2024 |work=Prothom Alo |type=Op-ed}}{{Cite news |last=Habib |first=Ali |date=23 June 2023 |script-title=bn:উদারনৈতিক রাজনীতিতে আলোর পথযাত্রী |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/sub-editorial/2023/06/23/1292477 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619071506/https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/sub-editorial/2023/06/23/1292477 |archive-date=19 June 2024 |access-date=19 March 2024 |work=Kaler Kantho |language=bn}}{{Cite news |date=30 January 2020 |script-title=bn:উদারনৈতিক রাজনীতির ধারা তৈরি করতে চাই |url=https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/126685/%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%88%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%88%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%87 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619071502/https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/126685/%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%88%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%88%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%87 |archive-date=19 June 2024 |access-date=19 March 2024 |work=The Daily Ittefaq}}{{Cite web |date=18 October 2021 |title=Bangladesh to become a secular state in the wake of Islamist riots |url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thefreethinker/2021/10/bangladesh-to-become-a-secular-state-in-the-wake-of-islamist-riots/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619071506/https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thefreethinker/2021/10/bangladesh-to-become-a-secular-state-in-the-wake-of-islamist-riots/ |archive-date=19 June 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=Patheos}}{{Cite news |date=14 November 2016 |title=Bangladesh Will Drop Islam as State Religion 'When Time Comes,' Says Ex Minister: Report |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bangladesh-will-drop-islam-as-state-religion-when-time-comes-former-minister-1625060 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619071501/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bangladesh-will-drop-islam-as-state-religion-when-time-comes-former-minister-1625060 |archive-date=19 June 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024 |publisher=NDTV}}}} (though this is disputed),{{Cite news |last=Khan |first=Mosarrap |date=12 July 2016 |title=Behind the Dhaka attack: radical secularisation and Islamist terror in Bangladesh |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/behind-dhaka-attack-radical-secularisation-and-islamist-terror-in-bangladesh/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105140544/https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/behind-dhaka-attack-radical-secularisation-and-islamist-terror-in-bangladesh/ |archive-date=5 January 2024 |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=openDemocracy}}{{Cite news |last=Md Mostofa |first=Shafi |date=6 December 2021 |title=Bangladesh's Identity Crisis: To Be or Not to Be Secular |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/12/bangladeshs-identity-crisis-to-be-or-not-to-be-secular/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923123146/https://thediplomat.com/2021/12/bangladeshs-identity-crisis-to-be-or-not-to-be-secular/ |archive-date=23 September 2023 |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=The Diplomat}}{{Cite news |last=Hasan |first=Mubashar |date=16 November 2023 |title=Religion and Bangladesh's Political Parties |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/11/religion-and-bangladeshs-political-parties/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105140544/https://thediplomat.com/2023/11/religion-and-bangladeshs-political-parties/ |archive-date=5 January 2024 |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=The Diplomat}} social-democratic, social-liberal, and economic-liberal,{{Cite news |last=Hassan |first=Sohrab |date=21 February 2021 |title=Awami League striding the path of BNP |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/opinion/op-ed/awami-league-striding-the-path-of-bnp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619071502/https://en.prothomalo.com/amp/story/opinion/op-ed/awami-league-striding-the-path-of-bnp |archive-date=19 June 2024 |access-date=18 June 2024 |work=Prothom Alo |type=Op-ed}} with a historical, though still influential, ideological base combining left-wing nationalism, socialism, and democratic socialism.{{Cite web |date=1 August 1971 |title=Awami League Stands for Democratic Socialism (PDF) |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1474323651 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108131718/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1474323651 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=5 January 2024 |website=ProQuest |id={{ProQuest|1474323651}}}}{{Cite news |last=Sarker |first=Probir Kumar |title=I am not a Marxist. I am a socialist, but a socialist in my own way |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/amp/bangladesh/321639/%E2%80%98i-am-not-a-marxist.-i-am-a-socialist-but-a |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804172240/https://www.dhakatribune.com/amp/bangladesh/321639/%E2%80%98i-am-not-a-marxist.-i-am-a-socialist-but-a |archive-date=4 August 2023 |access-date=4 August 2023 |work=Dhaka Tribune}} The party's nationalist outlook is primarily concentrated in its fundamental principles and historical role of nationalism in the Independence War.{{Cite web |last=Jahan |first=Rounaq |date=2014-08-01 |title=Political Parties in Bangladesh |url=https://www.cmi.no/publications/file/5229-political-parties-in-bangladesh.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308154906/https://www.cmi.no/publications/file/5229-political-parties-in-bangladesh.pdf |archive-date=8 March 2022 |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=www.cmi.no |quote=The Awami League which led the struggle for national liberation, self-describes itself as the 'proliberation force' in Bangladesh politics committed to promoting secular and social democratic values associated with the nation's foundational principles: nationalism, democracy, secularism and socialism.}}Therborn, G., and Khondker, H. H. (eds) (2006). Index. In Asia and Europe in Globalization, Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. Available From: Brill {{doi|10.1163/9789047410812_016}} [Accessed 06 June 2022]Khan, Zillur R. "Islam and Bengali Nationalism." Asian Survey, vol. 25, no. 8, 1985, pp. 834–51. JSTOR, {{doi|10.2307/2644113}}. Accessed 6 Jun. 2022.

File:National emblem of Bangladesh.svg; The four stars above the water lilly represent the four fundamental principles of Awami League that were enshrined in the first constitution of Bangladesh in 1972: nationalism, socialism, secularism, and democracy]]

The ideology of Awami League has been evolved through political and socio-economic landscape of the country since its creation. The Party President Sheikh Hasina claimed that her party's ideology has been blended with pragmatism.{{Cite web |last=Siddiq |first=Radwan Mujib |date=17 March 2024 |title=Strengthen the ideological foundations of Bangladesh's growth |url=https://whiteboardmagazine.com/4268/strengthen-the-ideological-foundations-of-bangladeshs-growth/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619071507/https://whiteboardmagazine.com/4268/strengthen-the-ideological-foundations-of-bangladeshs-growth/ |archive-date=19 June 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=White Board Magazine}} Party's constitution states four fundamental principles in guiding its philosophy and policies: democracy, socialism, secularism and Bengali nationalism.{{Cite web |title=The Constitution of the Bangladesh Awami League |url=http://www.albd.org/autoalbd/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=125&Itemid=50 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315031859/http://www.albd.org/autoalbd/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=125&Itemid=50 |archive-date=15 March 2009 |website=Bangladesh Awami League}} The origins of these principles can be traced to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's political thought.{{Cite book |last=Ilias |first=Khondakar Mohammad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l3jYXwAACAAJ |title=Mujibbad |date=1972 |publisher=Samya |language=bn}}{{Cite journal |last1=Lifschultz |first1=Lawrence |last2=Bird |first2=Kai |year=1979 |title=Bangladesh: Anatomy of a Coup |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=14 |issue=49 |pages=1999–2014 |issn=0012-9976 |jstor=4368204}}{{Cite news |date=22 January 2018 |script-title=bn:আমি আশাবাদী—কথাটি বলতে পারছি না |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/opinion/article/1414521/%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%80%E2%80%94%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515092737/https://www.prothomalo.com/opinion/article/1414521/%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%80%E2%80%94%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE |archive-date=15 May 2019 |access-date=2019-05-18 |work=Prothom Alo |language=bn |type=Opinion}}

{{See also|Secularism in Bangladesh}}

Awami League has been committed to secularism for a long time.{{Cite news |date=30 Sep 2022 |title=Awami League committed to building secular Bangladesh, Bangladesh Awami League Secretary General Obaidul Quader says |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/295034/awami-league-committed-to-building-secular |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206111425/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/295034/awami-league-committed-to-building-secular |archive-date=6 February 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024 |work=Dhaka Tribune}} The party has promoted a strong secular image and depicted itself as a defender of secularism against Islamism. Most of the party leaders support the restoration of the original constitution of 1972 by removing Islam as the state religion. Since Islam has been made as the state religion of Bangladesh, Awami League has been trying to defended secularism in light of Islam.{{Cite web |title='Secularism in the constitution of Bangladesh never conflicts Islam' |url=https://www.5dariyanews.com/news/328586-Secularism-in-the-constitution-of-Bangladesh-never-conflicts-Islam |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929002920/https://www.5dariyanews.com/news/328586-Secularism-in-the-constitution-of-Bangladesh-never-conflicts-Islam |archive-date=29 September 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=5 Dariya News}} Being a pragmatist party, Awami League often compromises with the Islamist political parties in social issues, which has been criticised.{{Cite news |title=Govt compromises with sectarian forces: Discussion |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/195670/govt-compromises-with-sectarian-forces-discussion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929055328/https://www.newagebd.net/article/195670/govt-compromises-with-sectarian-forces-discussion |archive-date=29 September 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024 |work=New Age}} The party's tolerance of the Islamic practices, retaining of Islam as the state religion, silence during the attacks on secularists in Bangladesh, has been questioned.

Sheikh Hasina supported calls to remove the Statue of Justice in Bangladesh Supreme Court. Many criticised these calls, saying Sheikh Hasina was bowing down to the pressure of Islamist political hard-liners.{{Cite news |last=Safi |first=Michael |date=26 May 2017 |title=Lady Justice statue in Bangladesh is removed after Islamist objections |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/26/lady-justice-statue-bangladesh-removed-islamist-objections |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012027/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/26/lady-justice-statue-bangladesh-removed-islamist-objections |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=11 February 2018 |work=The Guardian}}

In 2021, During a visit to a Puja venue Awami League's former Ministry of Information Dr Murad Hasan proposed to remove Bismillah (in the name of Allah) from constitution saying, “Bangladesh is a secular nation and will return to its 1972 constitution offered by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-15 |title=Will revert to 1972 constitution; bill to be placed soon: Murad |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/will-revert-1972-constitution-bill-be-placed-soon-murad-316303 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=We will revert to 1972 secular constitution, bill soon: Murad |url=https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/print/we-will-revert-to-1972-secular-constitution-bill-soon-murad-1634314047 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd}}

In 2022, former Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government wishes to restore the Constitution of 1972 and abolish the state religion.{{Cite news |date=2022-11-06 |title='Govt wants to restore 1972 Constitution' |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/govt-wants-restore-1972-constitution-3161491 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221107094034/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/govt-wants-restore-1972-constitution-3161491 |archive-date=2022-11-07 |access-date=2025-04-26 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Govt wants to restore 1972 constitution fully: Law minister |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/185596/govt-wants-to-restore-1972-constitution-fully-law-minister |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929061322/https://www.newagebd.net/article/185596/govt-wants-to-restore-1972-constitution-fully-law-minister |archive-date=29 September 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024 |work=New Age}} Former Minister of industries Amir Hossain Amu also tried to remove state religion. he stated “We wanted to abolish the state religion. But it could not happen as one or two members vetoed”{{Cite news |date=2022-08-14 |title=Faced veto for trying to exclude state religion: Amu |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/faced-veto-trying-exclude-state-religion-amu-3094471 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230606201538/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/faced-veto-trying-exclude-state-religion-amu-3094471 |archive-date=2023-06-06 |access-date=2025-04-26 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}

According to a report by Al Jazeera, a significant number of Hindus think that they weren't safe under Awami League rule as many anti-Hindu violences occurred and the ruling party members were involved in the harassment of Hindus.{{cite web|first=Mehedi Hasan|last=Marof|title='Our lives don't matter': Bangladeshi Hindus under attack after Hasina exit|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/12/12/our-lives-dont-matter-in-post-hasina-bangladesh-hindus-fear-future|website=Al Jazeera|date=12 December 2024}} According to Sreeradha Datta, professor and Bangladesh expert at Jindal School of International Affairs in New Delhi, India, noted about Awami League's secularism: {{blockquote|"While violence against Hindus did occur during the Awami League's 15-year rule, the party's secular stance generally gave minority groups a sense of security and safety, [...] In contrast, during previous non-Awami League governments, like the BNP-Jamaat alliance, attacks on minorities notably increased. This continues to influence the current perceptions."}}

{{See also|Socialism in Bangladesh#Socialist era (1972–1975)}}

Previously the party advocated for a socialist economy with democratic socialism. Inspiring from Soviet and Indian economic models, Awami League under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman implemented an economic system based on strict protectionism, state intervention and economic regulation under a planned economy and limited market activities, which was characterized as "neither capitalist nor socialist" in nature.{{Cite web |last=Mostafiz |first=Omar |date=17 January 2021 |title=Liberalism in Bangladesh: A Tad Too Slow |url=https://www.freiheit.org/bangladesh/tad-too-slow |access-date=17 January 2021 |website=Friedrich Naumann Foundation}} During the 1980s, AL began to reposition itself towards more centre-left. Many ideologues strongly objected of this policy shift in the party. Nevertheless, in 1992, AL formally took a liberal economic approach.{{Cite web |date=17 March 2024 |title=The politics of development – a conversation with Sheikh Hasina |url=https://whiteboardmagazine.com/4257/the-politics-of-development-a-conversation-with-sheikh-hasina/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528111606/https://whiteboardmagazine.com/4257/the-politics-of-development-a-conversation-with-sheikh-hasina/ |archive-date=28 May 2024 |access-date=12 July 2024 |website=White Board}} Since the 2010s, AL government has been very pro-market "which focused on boosting exports, attracting foreign investment, improving infrastructure, diversifying the economy, and enhancing the business environment."{{Cite news |last=Chattergee |first=Pranto |date=12 January 2024 |title=Exploring the economic policies behind Bangladesh's remarkable growth |url=https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=454986 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712111618/https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=454986 |archive-date=12 July 2024 |access-date=12 July 2024 |work=The Daily Observer}}

Sheikh Hasina's views on socialism has changed over times. In 1991, she noted that socialism was a failed system.{{Cite web |date=19 February 2015 |title=WikiLeaks: Socialism a failed system, said Sheik Hasina |url=https://www.groundreport.com/wikileaks-socialism-a-failed-system-said-sheikh-hasina/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008063834/https://www.groundreport.com/wikileaks-socialism-a-failed-system-said-sheikh-hasina/ |archive-date=8 October 2022 |access-date=18 May 2018 |publisher=GroundReport}} However, in 2024, she said that "fulfilling the people's basic needs" had been her "version of 'socialism'".

The party has taken a slightly conservative position on social issues and promotion of Islam, including the establishment of Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, declaration of public holidays in the Islamic festivals and, more recently, the construction of 360 Model Mosques across the country.{{Cite web |title=Awami League Reflects the Mainstream Political Culture of Bangladesh |url=https://albd.org/articles/news/40296/Awami-League-Reflects-the-Mainstream-Political-Culture-of-Bangladesh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619054800/https://albd.org/articles/news/40296/Awami-League-Reflects-the-Mainstream-Political-Culture-of-Bangladesh |archive-date=19 June 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=Bangladesh Awami League}} The party's position on the LGBT rights is also conservative, the AL-led Parliament refused to overturn Section 377, in 2009 and 2013.Pawar, Yogesh. Bangladesh Refuses to Abolish Criminalisation of Same-Sex Ties; in Denial about its 4.5 Million-Strong LGBT Community, Dhaka Shoots Down the United Nations Human Rights Commission Recommendations., 2013. Print It was reported in 2017 that the party in government has been cracking down on the LGBT community. This has included the arrests of those accused of being homosexual.{{Cite news |date=29 May 2017 |title=Bangladesh crackdown on gay men is another gesture of capitulation to Islamist extremists |url=https://scroll.in/article/838811/fatal-error-bangladesh-crackdown-on-gays-is-another-gesture-of-capitulation-to-islamist-extremists |work=Scroll.in}}

{{Main|Vision 2021|Bangladesh Vision 2041|Smart Bangladesh}}

Before the 2008 general elections in Bangladesh, the Awami League announced in its manifesto, its "Vision 2021" and "Digital Bangladesh" action plans to transform Bangladesh into a fast-developing middle-income country by 2021.{{Cite web |title=Election Manifesto of Bangladesh Awami League-2008 |url=http://www.albd.org/autoalbd/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=367 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130053141/http://www.albd.org/autoalbd/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=367 |archive-date=30 November 2010 |website=Bangladesh Awami League}} The policy was criticised as a policy emblematic of technological optimism in the context of Bangladesh and the state repression of media, low internet penetration, inadequate electricity generation.{{Cite web |title=Whither Digital Bangladesh? |url=http://www.khichuri.org/wither-digital-bangladesh/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095708/http://www.khichuri.org/wither-digital-bangladesh/ |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=29 January 2015 |website=The Khichuri}} Prior to the 2024 Bangladeshi general election, Awami League announced Smart Bangladesh initiative associated with the Bangladesh Vision 2041 framework in its manifesto, a national strategic plan aiming to further develop the socio-economic standings of Bangladesh by transforming the country into a technologically advanced and sustainable society with low income inequality and high standard of living.{{Cite web |title=Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041 |url=https://a2i.gov.bd/a2i-missions/smart-bangladesh-vision-2041/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131131815/https://a2i.gov.bd/a2i-missions/smart-bangladesh-vision-2041/ |archive-date=31 January 2023 |access-date=20 February 2023 |website=a2i.gov.bd}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-26 |title=Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041 {{!}} All you need to explore – Digital Mahbub |url=https://digitalmahbub.com/smart-bangladesh/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407003643/https://digitalmahbub.com/smart-bangladesh/ |archive-date=7 April 2024 |access-date=2023-02-20 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |title=Vision-2041 |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/tags/vision-2041 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226183942/https://www.thedailystar.net/tags/vision-2041 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=25 August 2020 |work=The Daily Star}}

In 2011, Awami League government passed the 15th amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh wherein Article 18A was added which endeavours to protect and improve environment.{{Cite web |title=Article 18A of the Constitution of Bangladesh |url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-367/section-41505.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021100542/http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-367/section-41505.html |archive-date=21 October 2022 |access-date=2021-06-30 |publisher=Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs}} Awami League under Sheikh Hasina also promised to protect the country's environment in its manifesto for the 2024 election. Her government also adopted the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, an "adaptation-based technical and economic master plan, which has considered the effects of water resources management, land use, environment, and climate change, and its interaction on the development results".{{Cite news |last=Shawon |first=Asif Ali |title=Awami League promises to protect environment in election manifesto |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/amp/bangladesh/335077/awami-league-promises-to-protect-environment-in |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107113136/https://www.dhakatribune.com/amp/bangladesh/335077/awami-league-promises-to-protect-environment-in |archive-date=7 January 2024 |access-date=27 December 2023 |work=Dhaka Tribune}} Sheikh Hasina's government has been praised for combating natural calamities, greening her country and promoting international consciousness regarding climate change.{{Cite web |last=Tarunnum |first=Zeba |date=9 July 2021 |title=Sheikh Hasina's Environment Protection Initiative Praised Worldwide |url=https://thegreenpagebd.com/sheikh-hasinas-environment-protection-initiative-praised-worldwide-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107113141/https://thegreenpagebd.com/sheikh-hasinas-environment-protection-initiative-praised-worldwide-2/ |archive-date=7 January 2024 |access-date=9 July 2021 |website=The Green Page}}

During the premiership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman between 1972 and 1975, Rahman's personal influence in the country's foreign policy was instrumental.{{Rp|page=92}} Rahman himself wanted to make his country as the Switzerland of Asia.{{Rp|page=92}} His government was successful in obtaining recognition from the major countries of the world before 15 August 1975, although the People's Republic of China and Saudi Arabia recognized Bangladesh just after 15 August.{{Rp|page=92}}

Awami League is often described as pro-India. "Bangladesh has enjoyed a good relationship with India under PM Sheikh Hasina".{{Cite news |date=1 April 2024 |title=Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina slams opposition's 'Boycott India' call, questions sincerity amid allegations of interference |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-slams-oppositions-boycott-india-call-questions-sincerity-amid-allegations-of-interference/articleshow/108945101.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402135744/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-slams-oppositions-boycott-india-call-questions-sincerity-amid-allegations-of-interference/articleshow/108945101.cms |archive-date=2 April 2024 |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=The Times of India}} After Awami League formed government under Hasina in 1996, her government adopted an India-oriented foreign policy.{{Cite book |last=Mahbubur Rahman |first=Muhammad |title=BCS Bangladesh Affairs |publisher=Lion Muhammad Gias Uddin |volume=I & II |publication-date=July 2011 |language=bn}}{{Rp|page=97}} This continued since 2009, when she secured power for the second time. In 2015, Hasina signed a historic land exchange agreement with Indian PM Narendra Modi which resolved the decade-long India–Bangladesh enclaves problem.

Awami League continued good relationship with China. "Hasina has adroitly balanced ties with both India and China".{{Cite news |last=Pasricha |first=Anjana |date=10 January 2024 |title=Why India Welcomes Sheikh Hasina's Return to Power in Bangladesh |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/why-india-welcomes-sheikh-hasina-s-return-to-power-in-bangladesh/7434039.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406104028/https://www.voanews.com/amp/why-india-welcomes-sheikh-hasina-s-return-to-power-in-bangladesh/7434039.html |archive-date=6 April 2024 |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=VOA}}

Sheikh Hasina government allowed Rohingyas to take refuge in Bangladesh, for which she received credit and praise in home and abroad.{{Cite news |last=Joehnk |first=Tom Felix |date=6 October 2017 |title=How the Rohingya Crisis Is Changing Bangladesh |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/opinion/rohingya-bangladesh-myanmar.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209125005/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/opinion/rohingya-bangladesh-myanmar.html |archive-date=9 February 2019 |access-date=8 February 2019 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}

Awami League continues to support Palestinian cause. In 1972, Awami League government officially rejected the Israeli recognition of Bangladesh.{{Cite news |last=Nasir |first=Khaled |date=2 September 2011 |title=Time for a quiet revolution in Bangladesh-Israeli relations |url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/Time-for-a-quiet-revolution-in-Bangladesh-Israeli-relations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105202139/https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/Time-for-a-quiet-revolution-in-Bangladesh-Israeli-relations |archive-date=5 January 2019 |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=The Jerusalem Post}} In 2014, Sheikh Hasina said, "We have been continuing our support to the Palestinians and occupation of their land by the Israelis is never acceptable".{{Cite news |title=PM: Attack on Gaza is violation of humanity |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/sep/03/pm-attacks-gaza-violation-humanity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224210003/https://www.dhakatribune.com/error |archive-date=24 December 2018 |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}

File:Bangladesh Awami League new office (24).jpg, Dhaka. It was heavily vandalized and set-on fire following the Student–People's uprising. Currently abandoned.]]

The Constitution of the Bangladesh Awami League ({{langx|bn|বাংলাদেশ আওয়ামী লীগ এর গঠনতন্ত্র|translit=Bānlādēśa ā'ōẏāmī līgēra gaṭhanatantra}}) has 24 Articles and includes contents of General Program, Membership, Organization System, Central Organizations, Name, Aims and Objectives, Fundamental Principles, Commitments. In accordance with the changing situation and tasks, revisions were made in some of the articles at the National Conference.{{Cite web |title=Constitution – Bangladesh Awami League Official Site |url=http://www.albd.org/index.php/en/party/constitution |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803151743/http://www.albd.org/index.php/en/party/constitution |archive-date=3 August 2016 |access-date=23 October 2016}}

The National Conference NC ({{langx|bn|জাতীয় সম্মেলন|translit=Jātīẏa sam'mēlana}}) is the party's highest body, and, since the 1st National Conference in 1949, has been convened every three years (sometimes on an irregular basis). According to the party's constitution, the National Conference may be postponed on except "under extraordinary circumstances." The party constitution gives the NC following responsibilities:

• electing the President
• electing the general secretary
• examining the report of the outgoing Central Working Committee
• discussing and enacting party policies
• revising the party's constitution

In practice, the party councillors and delegates rarely discuss issues at length at the National Conference. Most substantive discussion takes place before the Conference, in the preparation period, among a group of top party leaders. In between National Conferences, the Central Working Committee is the highest decision-making institution.

{{multiple image

| align = right

| header = Main office holders

| image1 = Russia-Bangladeshi talks Moscow 2013-01-15 12.jpeg

| width1 = 200

| alt1 = Sheikh Hasina

| link1 = Sheikh Hasina

| caption1 = Sheikh Hasina Wazed, President of AL since 16 February 1981

| image2 = Obaidul Quader MP.jpg

| width2 = 200

| alt2 = Obaidul Quader

| link2 = Obaidul Quader

| caption2 = Obaidul Quader, General Secretary of AL since 23 October 2016

}}

The Central Working Committee ({{langx|bn|কেন্দ্রীয় কার্যনির্বাহী সংসদ|translit=Kēndrīẏa kāryanirbāhī sansada}}) of the Awami League is a political body that comprises the top leaders of the Party. It is currently composed of 81 full members and 29 alternate members. Members are elected once every three years by the National Conference of the Bangladesh Awami League.{{Cite web |title=Organisation – Bangladesh Awami League Official Site |url=http://www.albd.org/index.php/en/party/organisation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126234601/http://www.albd.org/index.php/en/party/organisation |archive-date=26 November 2016 |access-date=23 October 2016}}{{Cite news |date=30 October 2016 |title=AL keeping party, govt separate? |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/al-keeping-party-govt-separate-1306507 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012031/https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/al-keeping-party-govt-separate-1306507 |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=4 March 2019 |work=The Daily Star}}

The Central Working Committee is made up of the following:

• The Party Presidium:{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh Awami League |url=https://www.albd.org/pages/organization |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420151539/https://www.albd.org/pages/organization |archive-date=20 April 2019 |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=www.albd.org}}
• The Party President
• 17 Presidium Members
• The General Secretary
• 4 Joint General Secretary
• The Treasurer
• 28 Additional Members
• 29 Secretaries of the Sub Committee

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

1. Office Secretary
2. Liberation War Affairs secretary
3. Finance and planning secretary
4. International Affairs secretary
5. Law Affairs secretary
6. Agriculture and Co-operation secretary
7. Information and Research secretary
8. Relief and Social welfare secretary
9. Religious Affairs secretary
10. Press and Publications secretary
11. Forest and Environment secretary
12. Science and Technology affairs secretary
13. Women Affairs secretary
14. Youth and Sports affairs secretary
15. Education and Human resource secretary
16. Industries and Commerce secretary
17. Labour and Manpower secretary
18. Cultural Affairs secretary
19. Health and Population secretary
20. 8 Organising secretaries
21. Deputy Office-secretary
22. Deputy Press-secretary}}

and

• 10 Parliamentary Committee member

The *Presidium of the Awami League* is the topmost decision-making body of the Awami League, and in turn, as Awami League has been the sole ruling party of Bangladesh since 2009, unofficially one of the highest and most important decision-making bodies of the country itself.

The members of the current Presidium are:

1. Sheikh Hasina

2. 𝘉𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘮 Matia Chowdhury

3. Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim

4. Kazi Zafarullah

5. 𝘌𝘯𝘨. Mosharraf Hossain

6. Pijush Kanti Bhattacharya

7. 𝘋𝘳. Muhammad Abdur Razzaque

8. 𝘓𝘵. 𝘊𝘰𝘭. Muhammad Faruk Khan

9. Shajahan Khan

10. Jahangir Kabir Nanak

11. Abdur Rahman

12. A. H. M. Khairuzzaman Liton

13. 𝘉𝘪𝘳 𝘉𝘪𝘬𝘳𝘰𝘮 Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya

14. 𝘈𝘥𝘷. Md. Qamrul Islam

15. Simeen Hussain Rimi

16. 𝘋𝘳. Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin

Almost 38 Advisory Council ({{langx|bn|উপদেষ্টা পরিষদ|translit=Upadēṣṭā pariṣada}}) members working as party's think-tank and are not Part of the Central Working Committee The Awami League Advisory Council is the highest governing of Bangladesh Awami League.

The Centre for Research and Information CRI is the think-tank and research cell of the Awami League. The foundation offers political education, conducts scientific fact-finding research for political projects, grants scholarships to gifted individuals, researches the history of Awami League, and supports and encourages youth, international understanding, and development-policy co-operation.{{Cite web |title=CRI |url=http://cri.org.bd/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012039/https://cri.org.bd/ |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=9 February 2017}}{{Cite news |date=25 October 2016 |title=1 crore visit Awami League facebook page in 8 days |url=http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=615465&date=2016-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026210431/http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=615465&date=2016-10-25 |archive-date=26 October 2016 |work=Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha}}{{Cite news |title=iSoftStone plans Bangladesh office following China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative |url=http://bdnews24.com/business/2017/01/19/isoftstone-plans-bangladesh-office-following-chinas-one-belt-one-road-initiative |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012038/https://bdnews24.com/business/2017/01/19/isoftstone-plans-bangladesh-office-following-chinas-one-belt-one-road-initiative |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=4 August 2017 |work=bdnews24.com}}{{Cite web |title=Live Telecast of Awami League Conference reaches millions |url=https://albd.org/index.php/updates/news/4144-live-telecast-of-awami-league-conference-reaches-millions?lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805021950/https://albd.org/index.php/updates/news/4144-live-telecast-of-awami-league-conference-reaches-millions?lang=en |archive-date=5 August 2017 |access-date=4 August 2017 |website=Albd.org}}{{Cite web |title=DI praises AL's research wing CRI while meeting HPM Sheikh Hasina |url=https://albd.org/index.php/en/updates/news/3777-di-praises-al-s-research-wing-cri-while-meeting-hpm-sheikh-hasina |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805021815/https://albd.org/index.php/en/updates/news/3777-di-praises-al-s-research-wing-cri-while-meeting-hpm-sheikh-hasina |archive-date=5 August 2017 |access-date=4 August 2017 |website=Albd.org}}

• Let's Talk
• Policy Café
• CRI Junction
• Young Bangla and CRI: The Young Bangla Programme comprises the several schemes, acting as a flexible space for the youth, thousands of individuals and youth-led organizations, supporting them with resources and capacity enhancement trainings.{{Cite news |date=9 February 2017 |title=ICT training starts today |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/city/ict-training-starts-today-1358329 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012040/https://www.thedailystar.net/city/ict-training-starts-today-1358329 |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=4 August 2017 |work=The Daily Star}}{{Cite news |title=Training to digital lab volunteers begins on Thursday in Dhaka |url=http://bdnews24.com/technology/2017/02/08/training-to-digital-lab-volunteers-begins-on-thursday-in-dhaka |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012036/https://bdnews24.com/technology/2017/02/08/training-to-digital-lab-volunteers-begins-on-thursday-in-dhaka |archive-date=28 December 2020 |access-date=4 August 2017 |work=bdnews24.com}}

{{Main|Criticism of Awami League}}

Awami League has been described as authoritarian by various national and international observers.{{Cite web |last=Riaz |first=Ali |date=17 January 2020 |title=Bangladesh's authoritarian shift |url=https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2020/01/18/bangladeshs-authoritarian-shift/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118020303/https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2020/01/18/bangladeshs-authoritarian-shift/ |archive-date=18 January 2020 |access-date=18 January 2020 |website=East Asia Forum}} In 2011, the AL-led government abolished the neutral non-partisan caretaker government system through passage of the 15th amendment of the constitution with its majority in Parliament,{{Cite news |last1=Liton |first1=Shakhawat |last2=Hasan |first2=Rashidul |date=1 July 2011 |title=Caretaker system abolished |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=192303 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203135606/http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=192303 |archive-date=3 February 2016 |access-date=7 January 2024 |work=The Daily Star}} despite the protests of opposition parties, including the BNP.[https://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/08/running-elections-bangladesh "Running Elections in Bangladesh"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080132/http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/08/running-elections-bangladesh |date=4 March 2016}}, The Economist, August 2012 Since 2014, the freedom of the press in Bangladesh has declined dramatically. Awami League government targeted and detained many leading newspapers, television channels and pro-opposition journalists.{{Cite news |date=3 March 2010 |title=Editors worried at threats to Nurul Kabir |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-128505 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129163617/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-128505 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |access-date=7 January 2024 |work=The Daily Star}} According to Ali Riaz, "Awami League has established total control over state machinery and politics" since 2018.

In a 2021 report Human Rights Watch said that in government the party has "doubled down on an authoritarian crackdown on free speech, arresting critics, and censoring media."{{Cite book |title=English |date=13 January 2021 |chapter=Bangladesh: Events of 2020 |access-date=25 October 2023 |chapter-url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/bangladesh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104085200/https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/bangladesh |archive-date=4 November 2023 |url-status=live}} This followed a prior violent crackdown on those that criticised the party in 2018.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2019 |title=Bangladesh: Violent Repression of Opposition | Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/01/17/bangladesh-violent-repression-opposition}} The general elections of 2014 and 2018 was criticised by the United States and the European Union for irregularities.{{Cite magazine |date=2 November 2023 |title=Sheikh Hasina and the Future of Democracy in Bangladesh |url=https://time.com/6330463/bangladesh-sheikh-hasina-wazed-profile/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104145458/https://time.com/6330463/bangladesh-sheikh-hasina-wazed-profile/ |archive-date=4 January 2024 |access-date=7 January 2024 |magazine=Time}}{{Cite news |last=Chowdhury |first=Syed Tashfin |date=7 January 2014 |title=Violent Bangladesh poll 'not credible' |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/01/violent-bangladesh-poll-not-credible-201417153340105129.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920031610/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/01/violent-bangladesh-poll-not-credible-201417153340105129.html |archive-date=20 September 2020 |access-date=9 March 2022 |work=Al Jazeera}}

{{Main|Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini#Human rights abuses}}

Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini, dissolved armed wing of Awami League, formed under the supervision of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and active from 1972 to 1975, became involved in numerous charges of political killings, shooting by death squads, and rape. Human Rights Watch states that institutionalized violence committed by the Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini, established the culture of impunity and widespread prevalence of abuses by security forces in independent Bangladesh.{{Cite web |date=2009-03-18 |title=Ignoring Executions and Torture : Impunity for Bangladesh's Security Forces |url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/bangladesh0509webwcover.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317221538/https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/bangladesh0509webwcover.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2017 |access-date=2013-08-16 |website=Human Rights Watch}}

Awami League has been accused for promoting "political nationalism", a form of radical nationalism. This form of nationalism emphasizes on "exclusion based on political identity" over other factors, although it is "more inclined to accept religious diversity, cultural differences, and racial diversity within a state, but cannot accept political differences in ideology or party support". The party always styles itself as the "proliberation force" and positions itself as the "sole custodian" of the spirit of Liberation War, while diminishing the opposition's contributions to the Liberation War; which has been described as an attempt to delegitimize the opposition in the context of electoral politics. Critiques argue that this type of self-proclaimed interpretation of Bangladesh Liberation War results in an illiberal socio-political landscape in the country that marginalizes the opposition.{{Cite web |last=Mostofa |first=Shafi |date=31 October 2023 |title=Rise of Radical Nationalism in Bangladesh |url=https://southasianvoices.org/rise-of-radical-nationalism-in-bangladesh/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101071033/https://southasianvoices.org/rise-of-radical-nationalism-in-bangladesh/ |archive-date=1 November 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 |website=South Asian Voices}}

• Politics of Bangladesh
• List of political parties in Bangladesh
• Bangladesh Nationalist Party
• List of political parties in Pakistan
• National Awami Party
• Awami National Party
• Suchinta Foundation
• Criticism of Bangladesh Awami League
• Bangladesh Awami Olama League

Footnotes

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist|group=note}}

Citations

{{Reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Bangladesh Awami League}}
• [http://www.albd.org/ Awami League] – official website ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190919051441/http://www.albd.org/ |date=19 September 2019}})

{{Bangladesh Awami League}}

{{Bangladeshi political parties}}

{{Sheikh Mujibur Rahman}}

{{Sheikh Hasina}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1949 establishments in East Bengal

Category:Authoritarianism

Category:History of East Pakistan

Category:Political parties established in 1949

Category:Political parties in Bangladesh

Category:Politics of Bangladesh