A large group of demonstrators, including students and members of the general public, blocked the Shahbagh intersection in the capital Dhaka on Friday, May 9, demanding the banning of the ruling political party, Awami League. The protest was organized under the banner of the National Citizens' Party (NCP), with participation from various political and Islamic organizations.

The call for the protest was announced following the Jummah prayers during a gathering held in front of the residence of the NCP’s chief adviser. The chief organizer of the party’s southern region, Hasnat Abdullah, delivered the declaration to escalate their movement by taking to the streets. Responding to the call, demonstrators gathered near the InterContinental Hotel at 3:00 PM for an initial rally.

As the day progressed, the protest gained momentum. Around 5:00 PM, a large procession began marching towards Shahbagh, a key intersection in central Dhaka. Upon arrival, the protesters occupied the area, effectively halting all vehicular movement and creating a major disruption in city traffic.

Eyewitnesses reported a diverse presence at the protest site, with participation not limited to party members. Alongside NCP activists were representatives from other political parties and Islamic groups. Many ordinary students and citizens also joined the demonstration, some holding placards and festoons echoing the demand for a political ban, while others arrived in organized processions chanting slogans.

The event marked a significant escalation in the opposition's stance against the current regime, as calls for banning a mainstream political party reflect growing political unrest and discontent among segments of the population. The organizers have indicated that this is just the beginning of a larger series of protests unless their demands are met.

Law enforcement was reportedly monitoring the situation but did not engage directly with the protesters during the initial stages of the road blockade. However, the disruption to traffic caused significant delays and inconvenience across the central city.

No immediate comments were made by Awami League representatives regarding the protest or the demands raised. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to this growing movement and whether dialogue or further confrontation will follow in the coming days.