As the country gears up for the upcoming national elections in 2024, a wave of political unrest has swept across Bangladesh, disrupting daily life and causing widespread anxiety among the populace.
The ongoing strikes, demonstrations, and vandalism on public transports have led to a climate of uncertainty and fear, economic loss and supply chain disruption, prompting many people to stay indoors and avoid venturing out for essential supplies.
Md Masum Kabir, a private employee, is one such individual who has found himself caught in the crossfire. With winter approaching and his children's exams looming, he wanted to visit Dhaka Newmarket to purchase necessary supplies. However, the prevailing turmoil forced them to abandon their plans, leaving them without the necessary items.
“The current situation is deteriorating rapidly,” Kabir lamented. “Our children's exams are fast approaching, and winter is upon us. We need to go out for our daily needs, but like us, everyone is afraid for their lives.”
Kabir's predicament mirrors the experiences of countless others across the country, who are now fearful of simply venturing out to acquire basic necessities such as food and clothing.
Recently, smaller vehicles such as rickshaws, motorcycles, and CNG auto-rickshaws were seen plying the road more compared to public transports and private cars.
Dhaka Road Transport Owners' Association (DRTOA) General Secretary and owner of Ena Transport Pvt Ltd Khandaker Enayet Ullah said, “From October 28 till November 16, a total of 250 buses have been vandalised and 120 have been torched. We urge the government to take necessary steps and ensure the miscreants are punished.”
The disruption of daily activities and the added strain of financial hardship, skyrocketing inflation, and ongoing economic woes have further exacerbated the situation.
Experts depict that if the situation prevails, the struggles of the general populace will intensify.
Towfiqul Islam Khan, the senior research fellow at the Center for Policy Dialogue said that the impact will be more seen in the supply chain, transport, and retail sectors.
“The economy is already burdened by inflationary pressure,” Khan stated. “The current unrest will only deepen the crisis by disrupting power production, reducing capacity in the formal sector, and creating opportunities for price gouging.”
Khan pointed out that the informal sector in urban areas is particularly vulnerable to the effects of the unrest, as the decline in economic activity will lead to reduced work opportunities and increased hardship for ordinary people.
“The unrest is also hindering the implementation of macroeconomic policies that are crucial for addressing our economic crisis," Khan added. "A political transition is essential to restore stability and allow us to focus on economic recovery.”
Despite the prevailing uncertainty, many people are clinging to the hope that the approaching winter season will bring some relief. However, supply disruption due to the ongoing strike dealt a blow to the kitchen markets.
Vegetables, grain and other food supplies from different parts of the country have failed to reach the capital in time due to strikes. Due to the decreased supply, prices are currently on the rise.
Abul Kayum Talukder, general body member of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) said, “The business condition is indescribable. The market has been stagnant, with foot traffic at an all-time low. Customers are hesitant to venture out, leading to a significant decline in sales. We want a conducive business environment.”
At the time of filing this report, a two-day-long strike was also observed across the country and BNP had announced a nationwide strike on Sunday and Monday after the announcement of the 12th parliamentary election polling day.
The strikes have intensified since the BNP rallied for the reinstatement of a neutral caretaker government on October 28. Since then various political parties including BNP have called for strikes and hartals.
