To Whom It May Concern,
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the de-facto main opposition political party of Bangladesh despite having fewer seats in the national parliament, has been carrying out large scale political assemblies for two more months. The BNP has in the meantime held divisional political assemblies in several divisions including Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna and Comilla with demands including credible elections. The last divisional assembly is going to be held in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. But controversy is raised regarding the venue of the political assembly in Dhaka. While the BNP prefers Nayapaltan where the party’s central office is situated, the government wants the rally to be held in Suhrawardy Udyan. Due to the controversy, other places in Dhaka are also being proposed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
It is pertinent to note that fixing up specific places for large scale political rallies in cities may be better for several economic, political and other causes. One of the important causes is the reduction of public suffering as holding large demonstrations on hectic streets leads to traffic jams and hindered public mobility. Moreover, it provides less scope for destructive activities and a well-arranged/planned way of political demonstrations. But places have not yet been strictly fixed for political rallies in Dhaka and other cities. Though political assemblies are taking place in Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, they are held on streets in Dhaka and other cities. Moreover, it is difficult to restrict political assemblies to fixed places always because of the unpredictable nature of political developments and other causes.
But a relevant aspect is whether the BNP’s rally can lead to significantly destructive activities or the overthrow of the BAL government if the party is allowed to hold its rally at Nayapaltan. Such a possibility is low, though the party has been in protests since the cancellation of the Caretaker Government Bill from the constitution in 2011. Recent divisional rallies have not resulted in subversive activities. Even if there were clashes and hindrances to BNP’s leaders and supporters attending several rallies, all divisional rallies were almost peaceful compared to those of earlier demonstrations. Moreover, according to television channels and newspapers, BNP has no plan to call for ousting the government from this rally by besieging the city and there is no convincing threat of subversive activities.
It is desired that the problem of the assembly venue is resolved and the BNP is given permission to hold its rally at Nayapaltan or any other suitable place in Dhaka. But the venue needs to be finalized in discussion with the BNP, which has the constitutional freedom of political assembly. Notably, the BNP which failed to hold large scale demonstrations in the last few years due to political, legal and other causes has become successful in recent months. The BAL government has also provided more space for the BNP’s recent rallies. These are positive political developments that can improve political and other conditions. But it is also expected that the political assembly is peaceful and opposition leaders are not harassed.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
