⁨76th Founding Anniversary of Bangladesh Awami League – 23 June

Bangladesh Awami League is the oldest and largest political organization in the country. This 23rd of June marks the 76th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Awami League. For over seven and a half decades, the journey of the Awami League has been steeped in tradition and glory. Throughout this long path, the party has played a leading role in the struggle for establishing the rights of the Bengali nation and the principles of democracy. Therefore, all leaders and activists of the Awami League are inherently part of this proud legacy.

From its inception, the Awami League has been the party of the masses. It has helped shape the spirit of nationalism and the determination to achieve self-respect among the people of this land. Under the dynamic leadership of the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Awami League flourished. Under his undisputed leadership, the great Liberation War was waged, and the sovereign state of Bangladesh was born. All of the nation’s major achievements have come under the leadership of the Awami League. Through great sacrifices and relentless struggle, the Awami League has grown into a towering force in Bangladesh’s political landscape over these 76 years. Upholding its glorious history, it continues to march forward. Due to its uncompromising stance on people’s rights and progressive politics, the Awami League has repeatedly faced immense obstacles—but never bowed. Instead, it has overcome all adversity to move the nation forward. The Awami League is the architect of modern Bangladesh, breaking away from a regressive past.

Following the end of British rule in 1947, Pakistan was created based on a flawed two-nation theory. In response to the brutal oppression and misrule of the West Pakistani regime, the Awami League was founded on June 23, 1949, to fight for the rights and emancipation of the Bengali people. At its inception, the party was named the “East Pakistan Awami Muslim League.” During a conference held on June 23–24, 1949, at the historic Rose Garden in KM Das Lane, Dhaka—attended by progressive members of the Muslim League under the ideological guidance of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy—the first opposition party in Pakistan emerged. Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani was elected as the party’s first President, Shamsul Haque as General Secretary, and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, from jail, was elected Joint Secretary.

From the beginning, the Awami League stood for secular, non-communal politics, Bengali nationalism, democratic values, a society free from exploitation, and a vision for a progressive, developed and prosperous Bangladesh. Based on these ideals, the party dropped “Muslim” from its name in the 1955 council and became the “East Pakistan Awami League.”

The Awami League is not only the country’s oldest and largest political party—it is also the main current of Bangladesh’s political history. The story of Bangladesh’s independence is inseparable from the story of the Awami League. The Language Movement that began in 1948, demanding Bengali as one of the state languages of Pakistan, culminated in a mass awakening in 1952. Even while imprisoned, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played a key inspirational role in that movement. Riding on the wave of victory in the Language Movement, the United Front led by the Awami League defeated the Muslim League in the 1954 elections. Despite this, the Awami League was barred from state power through palace conspiracies.

Amidst these events, a coalition government was formed under the leadership of the Awami League on September 6, 1956. This ushered in a free, democratic environment in East Bengal. It was under Awami League’s initiative that Bengali was officially recognized as one of the state languages, February 21 was declared a national holiday and “Shaheed Day,” and the construction of the Central Shaheed Minar began. The Bangla Academy was established. In just 20 months, the Awami League government achieved food security and successfully tackled famine, further increasing its popularity. At that time, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman resigned from his ministerial post to become the General Secretary of the party and focused on building the organization at the grassroots.

Following this were movements against Ayub Khan’s decade-long autocratic rule, the Education Movements of 1962 and 1964, resistance to communal violence in 1964, the historic Six-Point Movement in 1966, the Agartala Conspiracy Case in 1968, and the Mass Uprising of 1969. In the landmark 1970 election, the Awami League secured an overwhelming victory on the basis of the Six Points. Then came the historic March 7 speech by Bangabandhu declaring: “This time, the struggle is for our liberation! This time, the struggle is for our independence!” Following the brutal genocide committed by Pakistani forces on the night of March 25, Bangabandhu declared Bangladesh’s independence in the early hours of March 26. Under the leadership of the Awami League, the Bengali nation launched an armed struggle for independence. After nine months of a bloody war, paid with the blood of 3 million martyrs and the dignity of 200,000 women, Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign state.

Bangladesh Awami League is the architect of this independence, sovereignty, and national unity—a symbol of the Bengali nation’s identity and self-respect. Just as the government led by Bangabandhu was steering war-torn Bangladesh toward economic emancipation, he was assassinated along with his family on August 15, 1975, by anti-independence forces aided by international powers. The party was targeted for annihilation through the killings of Bangabandhu and the four national leaders.

In the 1981 council session, Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina was elected president of the Awami League. After six years in exile, she returned to Bangladesh on May 17, 1981. Her return breathed new life into the party. Under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, the Awami League began a new journey to restore the spirit of the Liberation War and reclaim the democratic rights of the people. For over 40 years, Sheikh Hasina has been the leader of this party. Her uncompromising, strong leadership inspired the party and made it stronger. Under her guidance, the people of Bangladesh emerged from dictatorship and experienced democracy. Today, the Awami League is progressing from a Digital Bangladesh toward a Smart Bangladesh.

Through tears, sacrifices, and bloodshed, the people of Bangladesh have regained their right to vote and eat under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. Democracy returned after long years of military and authoritarian rule. Under her leadership, Bangladesh saw transformative development in good governance, economic stability, agricultural productivity, food self-sufficiency, education, healthcare, employment, power generation, social safety, food security, and women’s empowerment—elevating the country to a proud position on the global stage. Bangladesh was upgraded from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a Developing Nation.

Today, our beloved homeland has been hijacked by an anti-state, extremist force that has stalled the nation’s development. The state is becoming dysfunctional. People’s lives and property are no longer safe. Law and order is in disarray. Mob violence is rampant. The fascist, illegal occupier Yunus regime has captured state power and is misusing it at will. National sovereignty is being sold off to foreign powers. The economy has collapsed. Thousands of factories have closed. Millions are unemployed. Yet, the fascist Yunus regime’s business empire continues to expand. His Tk 666 crore tax liability has been withdrawn, and Grameen Bank was granted a five-year tax waiver. Corruption is rampant in every corner of the state. PSs and POs in various ministries, aided by advisors, are looting hundreds of crores. Bribery in government postings is now an open secret. Using the power of the state, this illegitimate fascist regime is looting the country. Because Awami League leaders are speaking out against this, they are being subjected to brutal repression. They are being attacked and prosecuted with false and harassing cases, and state terror is being used to attempt to wipe out the Awami League.

To suppress voices that demand justice, the regime is targeting people of all backgrounds, including Sheikh Hasina and other political leaders. But Awami League leaders will rise above all conspiracies and bring about a new dawn, Inshallah. Upholding the ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Awami League leaders and supporters will overcome all obstacles and strengthen the party further. The Awami League is rooted in Bangladesh’s history and in the hearts of its people. Every attempt to destroy it has only made it stronger—like a diamond, the more you try to cut it, the more brightly it shines.

The history of the Awami League is the history of the Bengali nation’s glorious achievements and struggles. From independence to sovereignty—behind all of it stands the leadership of this people’s party. From birth to now, the Awami League draws its strength from the people, especially its grassroots activists and leaders.

The historic 23 June—birth of Bangladesh Awami League—planted the seed of the dream of an independent Bangladesh.

Programs on 23 June 2025, Monday – Bangladesh Awami League’s 76th Founding Anniversary:
• Tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at 32 Dhanmondi.
• Program in Tungipara: Tribute at the mausoleum of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
• Discussion meeting or virtual discussions.
• Humanitarian activities, including the distribution of food and clothing.

Call from Bangladesh Awami League

On the occasion of the 76th founding anniversary on 23 June, all levels of Awami League leaders and activists, including affiliated and like-minded organizations at the district/metropolitan, upazila/thana, municipal/union, and ward levels, are called upon to observe relevant programs in line with central directives to highlight the history and legacy of this political institution of the people.

Joy Bangla!
Joy Bangabandhu!
Long live Bangladesh!⁩