A large number of protesters led by the National Citizen Party (NCP) blocked the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka on Friday afternoon, May 9, demanding a ban on the Awami League (AL).The protesters marched from Minto Road towards Shahbagh around 4:40pm and barricaded the intersection.The blockade began shortly after Hasnat Abdullah, NCP's chief organiser for the southern region, announced the programme from a rally near Chief Adviser's residence, State Guest House Jamuna."Our demand has not reached the ears of interim government. So, we are heading towards Shahbagh from the rally venue and will stay there until our demand is not met," he declared at about 4:30pm.During the rally, Hasnat accused the Awami League of dismantling democracy.“The Awami League is not a political party by any means. In 1974, it formed ‘BAKSAL’ and replaced democracy with a mafia system,” he said.

Hasnat also alleged, “Fifteen lakh people died of starvation due to the Awami League’s looting. The blood of the people is on their hands. With India’s support, they killed patriotic army officers.”

The protest began earlier in the day around 2:45pm with a recitation from the Holy Quran by NCP leader Ashraf Mahadi.

To mitigate the heat at the rally site, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) reportedly began spraying water using a water cannon from 3:00pm.

Several other political, social and cultural groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Inquilab Mancha, Islamic Movement, and AB Party, have expressed solidarity with the protest.

The movement gained momentum after a group of students led by the NCP gathered in front of the Chief Adviser’s residence, Jamuna, on Thursday night, May 8, demanding a ban on the Awami League. The sit-in formally began around 10:00pm under Hasnat’s leadership.