More than 50 thousand student associates of Sheikh Hasina’s party, which once ruled the campuses, are now in hiding.

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Awami League (AL) had an influence in Bangladesh for more than 15 years. However, following a student-led agitation in August that led to Hasina’s expulsion and subsequent exile, BCL members now find themselves in hiding, and facing a crackdown. interim government,
An Al Jazeera report said more than 50,000 BCL associates are struggling to continue their tertiary education. On 23 October, the Bangladeshi interim government led by Muhammad Yunus banned BCL, calling it “terrorist organization,
The Home Ministry cited BCL’s history of violence, harassment and exploitation of public resources over the past 15 years.
“Not long ago, I was the voice of authority here. Now, I’m running around like a fugitive with no possible future,” a graduate student of applied chemistry told Al Jazeera. This sentiment reflects the struggles that many BCL associates are experiencing.
The unrest began in July when students protested against the controversial reservation system in government jobs, which they claimed favored supporters of the ruling party. Although the top court abolished the quota, protests grew demanding the removal of Hasina’s government due to alleged human rights violations.
Protesters attacked government buildings, including Hasina’s residence, on August 5, forcing her to flee the country. Even after his departure, violence continued, with Awami League members and students being targeted. Many people went into hiding or were detained.
Rajshahi University’s BCL leaders Shahrin Ariyana and Saikat Rehan were arrested on October 18 on alleged “false charges”, as reported by their families. Violence against students affiliated with the Awami League spread, with incidents such as the lynching of Shamim Ahmed and the lynching of Masood.
The interim government declared BCL banned under anti terrorism act 2009, effective from 23 October. The law was originally enacted by Hasina’s administration.
For more than a decade, the BCL dominated the campuses, while opposition student wings such as student group And the Islamic Chhatra Shibir faced significant challenges.
The Yunus government has since lifted the ban on camping, allowing opposition student groups to regain control of the campuses.