Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Ershad Lifts Politics Ban in Bangladesh
A long time ago, in 1985, the leader of Bangladesh, General Ershad, allowed people to start doing politics again after a long ban.
He helped create a new political party by combining five smaller parties that supported his government.
Meanwhile, other political groups that didn't like the government planned to protest by stopping work for six hours.
Sadly, during this time, a student was hurt and died in a fight with some strict religious groups in a city called Chittagong.
Six other people were also hurt in the fight.
Lt General Hussain Muhammad Ershad lifted the 10-month ban on political activities in Bangladesh.
A new national party was formed by merging five pro-government parties.
Opposition parties announced a six-hour general strike for January 5.
A student was killed and six others were seriously wounded in a clash near Chittagong.
The clash involved Islamic fundamentalists and student supporters of the opposition Awami League.
- Who
- Lt General Hussain Muhammad Ershad and opposition political parties
- What
- Lifting of the politics ban and formation of a new national party
- When
- January 2, 1985
- Where
- Bangladesh
- Why
- To allow open political activities and merge pro-government parties
- Date
- January 2, 1985
- Location
- Bangladesh
- Key Figure
- Lt General Hussain Muhammad Ershad
- New Party
- New National Party
- Opposition Action
- Six-hour general strike on January 5
- Incident
- Student killed in Chittagong clash
- Injured
- Six others seriously wounded