Jamaat stages pots-and-pans protest over rising prices of essentials, fuel and electricity

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka North unit staged a rally and procession in North Badda today (5 November), carrying pots and pans to protest repeated increases in fuel and electricity prices and the rising cost of essential commodities.

The programme began at 3pm and was led by Selim Uddin, ameer of Jamaat’s Dhaka North city unit and the party’s mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation.

Addressing the rally, Selim said the protesters had gathered to demand people’s rights, not to pursue personal interests, settle political scores or target any particular political party.

He said public frustration was growing as incomes failed to keep pace with rising prices of essential goods, fuel and electricity.

“Market syndicates must be dismantled immediately, and the supply of essential commodities at fair prices must be ensured,” he said, adding that development could not be achieved while people remained burdened by insecurity and financial hardship.

Addressing the government, Selim said distributing cards and taking other measures would not be enough to ease public discontent unless people’s purchasing power improved and their confidence in the government was restored.

Selim also expressed support for garment workers demanding higher wages, questioning whether their demands were unreasonable given the rising cost of living.

“If you understood the price hikes and the difficult situation in the market, you would not have used batons against workers. A worker would not have had to lose his life,” he said.

He called on the government to accept the workers’ demands, end harassment and dismissals, and ensure that monthly wages were paid on time.

However, he urged workers to keep their protests peaceful and refrain from vandalism and arson at factories.

He also cautioned them against allowing any third party to exploit the movement and undermine public support for their demands.