Bangladesh is preparing for substantial nationwide disruptions on Sunday, following an announcement by the Inqilab Moncho group calling for blockades in all its divisional headquarters. This action represents a significant escalation of their ongoing protest campaign concerning the alleged killing of their leader, Sharif Osman Hadi. The movement, which initially concentrated in Dhaka, has now expanded, raising concerns for public safety and stability.
The organization has stated that the blockades will commence at 11 am local time. This declaration was reportedly made from the Shahbagh protest site in the capital, where Inqilab Moncho supporters have been engaged in a sit-in since Friday. Over the weekend, activists primarily from Inqilab Moncho, along with others, obstructed key transport routes and conducted sit-ins in Dhaka, Sylhet, Chattogram, and Kushtia, all demanding justice for Sharif Osman Hadi.
In Dhaka, demonstrators occupied Shahbagh following Friday’s congregational prayers and maintained their position throughout the night. On Saturday, they temporarily moved their protest to allow a visit to Hadi’s grave, subsequently returning to Shahbagh, which brought traffic to a complete standstill. A leader of Inqilab Moncho issued a stark warning that the protests would escalate significantly if the government failed to meet their demands. He implied that the movement’s influence could extend to powerful state institutions. The group criticized the government for what they perceive as apathy, pointing out the absence of any official visit to the protest site. They conveyed that public faith in the administration is waning. The demonstration in Shahbagh has attracted a wide spectrum of the population, including women, children, and prominent cultural figures, all voicing their demands for justice. Sharif Osman Hadi, a significant figure in a recent mass movement, founded Inqilab Moncho and was poised for electoral politics. His death, stemming from a shooting incident on December 12th, has triggered widespread unrest, marked by vandalism and attacks on media organizations. The authorities are now under immense pressure to contain the growing dissent and respond to the calls for accountability.