The interim government has classified the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) as a terrorist organization.

"The ban will take effect immediately," states a notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Signed by Senior Secretary Mohammad Abdul Momen, the notification outlines several reasons for the ban, including murder, torture, and persecution in dormitories.

The ministry noted, "The Awami League's affiliated organization, Bangladesh Chhatra League, has engaged in various acts threatening public safety, such as murder, torture, oppression in common rooms, seat trading in dormitories, tender rigging, and incidents of rape and sexual harassment, particularly during the past 15 years of authoritarian governance in Bangladesh."

The notification further stated, "Since July 15, 2024, during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League have violently attacked hundreds of protesting students and members of the public, resulting in the deaths of many innocent individuals and putting countless others at risk."

"...the government has gathered sufficient evidence that, even after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the Bangladesh Chhatra League has engaged in conspiratorial, destructive, and provocative actions against the state, along with various terrorist activities," it continued.

"Therefore, exercising the powers granted under sub-section (1) of Section 18 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009, the government hereby bans the Bangladesh Awami League's affiliated organization, the 'Bangladesh Chhatra League,' and officially designates it as a prohibited entity under Schedule II of the Act," the notification concluded.

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