The Shahbag protest was a political demonstration that took place on 9–10 May 2025 at Shahbagh Square in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Organized by the Students Against Discrimination under the leadership of Hasnat Abdullah, the protest called for the exclusion of the Awami League from national politics. It was prompted by the reported covert departure of former President Mohammad Abdul Hamid, who left the country amid allegations of involvement in the July massacre, violent crackdown of protests linked to the July revolution. His departure intensified public demands for the formal proscription of the Awami League. 
The protest received near-universal support from other Bangladeshi political parties. Organisations and political parties Amar Bangladesh Party, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party, Islami Oikya Jote, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Hefazat-e Islam Bangladesh, Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, National Citizen Party, July Mancha, Bangladesh Democratic Students Council, Inquilab Mancha several joined the protests.
Background.
On 8 May 2025, news of Abdul Hamid's departure from Bangladesh was published. Immigration authorities said in a statement that he had left for Thailand for medical treatment. Special Branch (SB) officers of the police said that Abdul Hamid was not prevented from leaving the country as there was no court ban or objection or ban from any force, while the immigration authorities also said that since there is no ban against Abdul Hamid from leaving the country, he was allowed to go for treatment. 
Hannan Masud claimed that Abdul Hamid obtained the permission of those in power in the government, evidenced by a phone call from President Shahabuddin Chuppu, to make arrangements to leave the country safely before he could face trial. Immediately after the news was published, there was widespread discussion and criticism in the media and social media. A report in "Jugantar" claimed that many people in the government were secretly involved in his safe departure from the country, and that Abdul Hamid used the VIP terminal at the airport without hindrance for about four hours. Following the tension over the incident, the government withdrew one person (additional superintendent of police) and dismissed two others for their involvement. Some critics of government action included activists Nurul Haque Nur, Farhad Mazhar, Mahfuz Alam, and members of Gono Odhikar Parishad. Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that he would resign if the country did not bring the individuals involved in Abdul Hamid's departure to justice. Sarjis Alam said that Abdul Hamid's departure was a major failure of the government, for which the government's chief advisor Muhammad Yunus and law advisor Asif Nazrul should be held accountable. 
In response to this incident, on the night of 8 May 2025, Bangladeshi political commentator Asif Nazrul told the media that there was a possibility of banning the Awami League or its organizations. In the evening, students from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement protested by blocking the Home Affairs Advisor's convoy at the Saidpur Airport, demanding to know how the former president fled the country. Hasnat Abdullah called for a siege program in front of Jamuna State Guest House, the resident of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus until the Awami League is banned, so that many others, including the leaders of the NCP and Students Against Discrimination movement, joined.
Outcome.
On 12 May 2025, the government issued a gazette notification banning all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations. In continuation of this, on 12 May 2025, the Election Commission of Bangladesh suspended the registration of the Awami League as a party.
Controversy.
A slogan was heard in front of the Hotel Intercontinental by a group of protestors "No place for Awami League in Ghulam Azam's Bengal". Some protesters allegedly attempted to obstruct the singing of national anthem during the demonstration. NCP later issued a statement condemning these incidents and called for clarifying political position of the collaborators of 1971 genocide. Chhatra Shibir secretary Nurul Islam Saddam condemned the disruption.
Reactions.
Following Awami League's ban it gained domestic and foreign praises and opposition.
Despite BNP's earlier opposition to ban Awami League. BNP general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir supported the decision. In a statement issued quoted, 
India opposed the ban expressing their concern over the decision. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is "concerned at the curtailment of democratic freedom and of shrinking political space in Bangladesh". Reacting to India's remarks Chief Advisor's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam reiterated that the ban on the activities of the AL is necessary to protect national security and sovereignty, ensure the safety of July uprising activists and safeguard plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal.