DHAKA, Aug 7 : A Jamaat-e-Islami-led eleven-party opposition alliance has announced a series of nationwide marches and a grand rally in Dhaka, in a bid to pressure the BNP-led government to implement the July National Charter and referendum verdict, reduce fuel, gas and electricity prices, and address the cost-of-living crisis currently plaguing Bangladesh.
The programmes were announced on Thursday by alliance chief and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman during a sit-in at Muktangan in Dhaka's Paltan area and were focused on what the alliance described as a fuel and gas crisis, "ghost bills" for electricity, deteriorating law and order and spiralling prices of essential commodities.
According to Shafiqur, the movement would also demand the immediate trial of those responsible for mass killings, improved public security, and an end to what he described as narrow partisan control over state institutions.
Under the announced schedule, the alliance will organise road marches from Dhaka to Chattogram on September 5, Rangpur on September 19 and Khulna on October 10.
A rail march to Sylhet is planned for October 24, followed by a grand rally in Dhaka on November 14.
"The newly announced long marches are aimed at realising the people's demands. They should not be obstructed as in the past. If obstacles are created, the marches will reach their destinations with twice the momentum," Shafiqur said, adding that the campaign would continue until its demands were met.
Reading out the alliance's eleven-point charter, he said "We are here today to place these eleven demands in the hands of the people. These demands do not belong to any party, individual or group -- they are meant to protect the rights of 18 crore people."
In an apparent reference to the now-banned Awami League, Shafiqur said those who had "silenced dissent with bullets, killings, enforced disappearances, repression, forced displacement and the destruction of businesses" would not be allowed to regain influence.
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, who also serves as the opposition chief whip, warned that another mass movement could emerge if the government failed to address public grievances.
"The Monsoon Revolution took place in 2024 and, if necessary, it will happen again in 2026. That depends on the government's behaviour," he said, accusing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's administration of failing to deliver on promises relating to employment, affordable essential goods, electricity and gas supplies.
The NCP leader further claimed that activists linked to the BNP's student wing were attempting to dominate university campuses by targeting opposition student organisations.
The sit-in drew thousands of activists from Jamaat and its alliance partners, causing significant traffic disruption across central Dhaka.
Post procession, protesters marched towards the Secretariat to press their demands, but were stopped by the police who blocked them near Gate No. 1 and closed other entrances, prompting a brief scuffle before alliance leaders proceeded to address supporters from outside the complex.
The Jamaat ameer initially gave the government 10 minutes to send a representative to receive the alliance's demands. When no official arrived, he ended the protest, expressing disappointment.
He also accused the government of deliberately creating shortages to justify future increases in utility prices, warning that the alliance would intensify protests, including laying siege to relevant government offices, if fuel and gas prices were raised further. (UNI)
