In a troubling escalation of political tensions in Bangladesh, the Jatiya Party, once allied with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, reported arson attacks on its offices by protesters in Dhaka. The Jatiya Party, founded by the late President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, had been part of the Awami League-led Grand Alliance and has participated in the last three general elections, despite boycotts by other parties.
The unrest erupted following the Jatiya Party’s announcement of a rally scheduled for Saturday, prompting anger from protesters who rallied under the Chhatra Sramik Janata banner. Witnesses reported that clashes began Thursday evening when demonstrators marched with torches in front of the Jatiya Party’s central office in the Kakrail area, leading to significant vandalism. Eyewitness accounts indicated that protesters pulled down signboards and defaced portraits of Ershad.
In response to the escalating violence, police and military forces were deployed outside the Jatiya Party office to restore order. Jatiya Party chief Ghulam Muhammed Quader condemned the attacks, stating, “The country is now divided.” Quader accused the protesters of fostering division by labeling individuals as “culpable” or “innocent,” leaving no room for dialogue or understanding.
The protests, however, were framed differently by the demonstrators. Shakiluzzaman, a leader of the Gono Audhikar Parishad, claimed that his group was the target of aggression from Jatiya Party members, alleging that bricks were thrown at them from the rooftop of the party office during their procession. He further accused the Jatiya Party of staging the arson attack as a means to gain sympathy, characterizing the party as a “proxy” for the Awami League during the past elections.
This incident underscores the deepening political divide in Bangladesh, as protests and counter-protests reflect the ongoing unrest surrounding the political landscape. As tensions continue to rise, the situation remains precarious, raising concerns about the implications for future elections and political stability in the country.
Sources By Agencies
