After 17 years, Dr. Zubaida Rahman returned to Bangladesh and performed Jumu’ah prayers at Baitul Aman Jame Mosque in Dhanmondi, in the women's section. Later, she spent time privately with family members at Mahbub Bhaban, including her mother Iqbal Mand Banu. Upon exiting the mosque, she was warmly received by well-wishers. Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim and Barrister Mehnaz Mannan were among those present.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, expressed that thousands of martyr families and the nation await Begum Khaleda Zia’s arrival at Shahbagh. In another post, he declared, “The very grounds of Shahbagh, which once saw the rise of fascism, will now witness its fall—Inshallah.” Protesters at Shahbagh chanted slogans opposing the Awami League, fascism, and Indian interference.

The AB Party has called for an all-party national convention to initiate steps toward banning the ruling Awami League, labeling it a party responsible for crimes against humanity. Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju said, “The Awami League has committed enforced disappearances, killings, mass murders, and large-scale looting. They have destroyed the electoral process and democracy itself. It’s time to build consensus to formally ban this party.” He added that while larger parties like BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were initially hesitant, all parties must now unite to take a decisive stance. Monju also demanded an impartial investigation into former President Abdul Hamid's recent departure from the country.

Mass movement leader Sargis Alam demanded the immediate designation of the Awami League as a terrorist organization. He also called for the inclusion of provisions under the International Crimes Tribunal Act to prosecute the party as a whole and to issue a comprehensive ‘July Declaration’. Earlier, he stated that all major political parties except the BNP have gathered at Shahbagh, adding that the July coalition will be complete once the BNP joins.

Prominent leader of the ongoing mass uprising, Nahid Islam, stated that the Shahbagh sit-in will continue. He urged that in the interest of national sovereignty, all political forces—regardless of ideology—must unite in July. Citing ongoing blockades across Dhaka, he warned that if a decisive action is not taken soon, the entire country will once again march on the capital. He further called for unification of all pro-Bangladesh forces to ban the Awami League, labeling it a fascist, anti-liberation, anti-Islam, anti-democracy, and anti-humanitarian entity.

Nurul Haque Nur has called for an immediate executive ban on all activities of the Awami League until legal proceedings against the party are completed. He criticized the Advisory Council, stating that most of its members no longer uphold the spirit of the July uprising and have begun appeasing the Awami League. “The council has betrayed the martyrs and the injured of the popular uprising,” Nur alleged, calling for its urgent reconstitution. Echoing this sentiment, Rashed Khan said, “It’s already too late — had action been taken nine months ago, Awami League members wouldn’t be roaming freely today. If we fail to hold them accountable now, they will return to punish the revolutionaries later.”

Hasnat Abdullah declared that Shahbagh, the birthplace of fascism, will also be its final battleground. In a social media post on Friday, the leader of the mass uprising stated that it is only a matter of time. “Our united struggle under the banner of July will continue,” he wrote. Earlier, at a rally in front of the Chief Adviser’s residence, Abdullah announced a blockade of the Shahbagh area demanding the banning of Awami League for committing genocide. He affirmed that the protest will not end until the party is officially banned, marking the beginning of the second phase of the uprising.

Tarique Rahman has accused the current regime of deliberately delaying constitutional reforms to create escape opportunities for former autocrats, weaken the anti-fascist alliance, and ultimately rehabilitate the Awami League. “This country does not belong to any individual or party — it belongs to the people,” he said, emphasizing that the Awami League had previously distorted the constitution for its own partisan interests. Rahman insisted that constitutional reform is essential and non-negotiable. “With fascism on the run, we have a chance to restore democracy,” he added, urging vigilance against future conspiracies. Referring to recent events, he remarked, “Just as Sheikh Hasina fled on August 5, Abdul Hamid also vanished under mysterious circumstances. The government claims to know nothing about his whereabouts, fueling public suspicion.”

Sarjis Alam, a prominent leader of the ongoing mass uprising, stated that all major political parties—except the BNP and its affiliated organizations—have now joined the Shahbagh movement. He emphasized that once the BNP joins, the united political front, first seen in July, will be reestablished.

"A united Shahbagh awaits the BNP," Sarjis wrote. "Today’s Shahbagh is a part of history and will serve as a benchmark for future politics."

Notably, protesters at Shahbagh have now blocked the key intersection, demanding the banning of the ruling Awami League.

Protesters have blocked Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka, demanding an official ban on the Awami League. The blockade began around 4:45 PM on Friday, following a rally held near the InterContinental Hotel. Hasnat Abdullah had earlier announced the action from the protest venue. The July Uprising movement and various political and ideological groups—including Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Ap Bangladesh, and Inquilab Manch—have expressed solidarity and participated in the demonstrations.

Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of the mass uprising, stated that Bangladesh will only begin to truly progress once it earns the title "Bangladesh Without Awami League." He announced plans for a blockade from the rally site, declaring that the voices of the injured and the people's demands have not reached the ears of the interim government. "We will move to Shahbagh and block the roads. We will not retreat until an official notification is issued banning the Awami League," he said. The protest, demanding the party’s ban and prosecution, saw participation from various political groups and general students holding placards and festoons.

Zahidul Islam, Central President of Islami Chhatra Shibir, warned that anyone who betrays the ideals of the blood-soaked ‘July Spirit’ will face condemnation. Shibir had earlier declared its participation in a sit-in protest in front of the Chief Adviser’s residence at Jamuna, aligning with the public uprising calling for the banning of the Awami League.

Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Gano Adhikar Parishad, has demanded a national dialogue within 48 hours with the Chief Adviser to address the banning of the Awami League. “The Awami League has no legitimacy to engage in politics or elections,” he stated. Despite repeated demands for justice over alleged genocidal acts and a ban on the party, the interim government has not responded. Khan also accused the Chief Adviser of facilitating former President Abdul Hamid’s departure and raised concerns about unequal law enforcement. “Why does Section 144 apply to some parties and not others, like the NCP, when they approach the Jamuna residence of the Chief Adviser?” he questioned.

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan stated that whether the Awami League should be banned is not a decision for his party. "This is a matter for the Election Commission, the government, and those seeking the ban to decide through consensus," he said. Moin Khan emphasized that only the people can decide who will participate in elections. “The return to a democratic process is only possible through free and fair elections. That’s what we seek,” he added. He further questioned whether the Awami League even intends to contest elections and asked, “Has even one of their leaders apologized for holding the people hostage over the past 15 years?”

Sarjis Alam from Panchagarh joined the Jamuna sit-in, vowing continued resistance. “The fight will go on until the Awami League is banned,” he said in a post, mentioning the participation of victims' families from major atrocities including the July uprising, Shapla massacre, and enforced disappearances.