A large number of people gathered for the second consecutive day at Shahbagh on Saturday afternoon, demanding a ban on Awami League politics.

The demonstration, which began on Friday afternoon at Shahbagh, gained further momentum as people from different walks of life were seen to join the protest.

People began gathering at the Shahbagh intersection and around the National Museum, causing severe traffic disruptions on Shahbagh and nearby roads, including Banglamotor, Aziz Super Market and the Matsya Bhaban intersection.

Protesters were seen chanting anti-Awami League slogans and holding placards.

Manik Hossain, one of the demonstrators, said, "I came here to support this movement. Those responsible for killing so many people in July should be banned."

Another protester named Rifat, who came from Paltan, said, "This is no longer just a student movement. This is everyone’s movement now."

Addressing the disruption caused by the protest, he added, "To gain something good, some sacrifices must be made."

Earlier, National Citizen Party (NCP)’s Southern Region Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah announced the mass rally to press home their 3-point demand.

In a Facebook post on Friday night, he wrote that a mass gathering will be held at Shahbagh from 3pm.

The demands are declaring Awami League as a terrorist organisation and banning it, including a provision for the group trial of Awami League under the International Crimes Tribunal Act and issuing the July declaration.

On Friday, protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection around 4:40 pm, demanding a ban on the Awami League and vowing to continue their sit-in until their demands are met.