Politics
Jamaat and Allies Stage Demonstrations in Dhaka Over Election Reforms
Seven political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, have announced a three-day program demanding the introduction of proportional representation (PR) in the upcoming national elections. The parties began their first day of demonstrations on Thursday (September 18) with rallies and processions across Dhaka.
According to the schedule, Jamaat will hold a gathering at 4:30 pm in front of the south gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque before marching through Paltan, the Press Club, and Shahbagh. Islami Andolon will march from the mosque’s north premises after the noon prayers, while Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis will rally from the north gate after Asr prayers.
Separately, Khelafat Majlis will hold a demonstration at 3 pm in front of the National Press Club, with Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and Nezame Islam Party staging protests at the same venue later in the afternoon. Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) will demonstrate near the Bijoynagar water tank at 4:30 pm.
Senior leaders including Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Islami Andolon’s Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, and Khelafat Majlis chief Mamunul Haque are expected to address the gatherings.
The key demands include full implementation of the July Charter, adoption of the PR system in parliament, ensuring a level playing field for fair polls, prosecution of past government crimes, and banning the activities of the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance.
While the number of demands varies across the groups, the central goal remains the same: a free, fair, and inclusive election.
Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inqilab Manch, has undergone a primary surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after being shot earlier on Friday. Hospital director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman confirmed in the evening that Hadi was being transferred to Evercare Hospital following a decision by his family.
According to the hospital authorities, Hadi suffered a bullet injury to the head and additional injuries to the chest. The injury to his leg is believed to have occurred when he fell from the rickshaw during the attack. Although the family initially considered transferring him to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), they later opted for Evercare Hospital, which has already been prepared to receive him.
Hadi was shot at around 2:20 pm on Friday while travelling by rickshaw along the Bijoynagar culvert road. Unknown assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at him and fled the scene. A bullet pierced just below his left ear. His colleagues rescued him and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 2:40 pm.
Law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident, as no information about the attackers or the motive has yet been confirmed.
Tensions flared at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday as supporters of Sharif Osman Hadi reacted angrily to the arrival of BNP candidate Mirza Abbas. Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inquilab Manch, is currently undergoing treatment after being shot earlier in the day.
Around 4 pm, Mirza Abbas reached the hospital’s emergency entrance, where Hadi’s supporters began chanting “fake, fake” slogans against him. The situation quickly became heated, prompting army personnel on site to escort Abbas inside under security. Supporters continued chanting outside the emergency unit.
After checking on Hadi’s condition, Abbas left the hospital around 4:30 pm without speaking to the media.
Earlier, around noon, Hadi was shot by assailants who approached on motorcycles while he was traveling by rickshaw in Bijoynagar. Following his admission, additional police and army personnel were deployed around Dhaka Medical College Hospital, including at the emergency gate. An army vehicle entered the hospital premises at 3:50 pm.
Hadi had previously reported receiving threats from around 30 domestic and international phone numbers last November. In a Facebook post on 14 November, he stated he had been threatened with murder, arson at his home, and sexual violence against his mother, sister and wife.
Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate from Dhaka-8 and spokesperson for Inquilab Manch, is now on life support after being shot in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on Friday. Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman, director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, confirmed his critical condition in a briefing given after 4 pm.
Hospital authorities reported that the bullet penetrated inside Hadi’s head after entering through the area beneath his left ear. Emergency physician Dr Mostak Ahmed said Hadi was in extremely critical condition upon arrival and was given CPR before being shifted to life support.
The attack occurred around 2:20 pm in the Box Culvert area of Bijoynagar when assailants on two motorcycles opened fire at Hadi and fled immediately. Misbah, who brought him to the hospital, said Hadi had just finished Juma prayers and was travelling by rickshaw when the attackers fired at him.
Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman said police were still gathering details, but initial reports suggest Hadi was on a rickshaw when motorcycle-borne gunmen shot him.
Last month, Hadi claimed he had received threats from around 30 domestic and international phone numbers. In a Facebook post on 14 November, he alleged threats of murder, arson at his home, and sexual violence targeting his mother, sister, and wife