Jahid Hossain :
Public suffering has surged in the capital Dhaka as numerous protests by different groups continue to paralyze key areas of the city. Various groups have taken to the streets, pressing their demands to the interim government, creating widespread traffic disruptions and chaos.
The protesters represent a wide range of causes. Some are calling for the elimination of salary disparities, others demand job nationalization. Anti-corruption activists have joined forces with those seeking the cancellation of exams, while garment workers have staged demonstrations for improved working conditions.
Additionally, supporters of Sheikh Hasina have taken to the streets seeking justice.
Key areas such as the National Press Club, Kakrail, Science Lab, New Market, Ramna, Karwan Bazar, Banglamotor, and Uttara have seen massive demonstrations, leading to severe traffic congestion.
Frequent protests across Dhaka have left the city in chaos, causing immense hardship for the public as roads remain blocked by demonstrators. The ongoing unrest, with protesters pressing their demands to the interim government, has led to major disruptions, particularly affecting commuters and emergency services.
On Monday, students from the Polytechnic Institute blocked the Tejgaon Satrasta junction in the capital, raising various demands. The blockade began around 11:00 AM on Monday, and despite hours of disruption, no efforts were made to manage the traffic until 2:00 PM, leaving commuters stranded.
Adding to the turmoil, Ansar members—who usually assist law enforcement—abandoned their duties and occupied key streets in Dhaka on Sunday, including the areas around the Press Club, High Court, and Secretariat.
Their protest completely blocked these areas, causing heavy traffic congestion that rippled across surrounding neighborhoods.
Amid this chaos, nine districts in the country are battling severe flooding. Efforts to provide relief to flood-affected areas were also hampered by these protests. The Student-Teacher Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University has been serving as a hub for the anti-discrimination student movement, which is collecting aid for flood victims.
However, blockades around TSC have made it difficult for people to bring relief materials or cash donations, and in some cases, protesters even obstructed the movement of relief vehicles.
The frequent road blockades have also severely impacted emergency services, with ambulances unable to pass through. Patients in critical condition have been left stranded in traffic, worsening their suffering.
With no immediate end in sight to the protests, public frustration is mounting as life in Dhaka remains crippled by the unrest.
One commuter, Saiful Islam, shared, “We are facing immense problems. My father had a medical emergency, but due to the blocked roads, it took us hours to reach the hospital. This kind of delay can be life-threatening for critical patients.”
Others pointed to the economic toll the protests are taking. Daily wage earners, small business owners, and those dependent on public transport are finding it increasingly difficult to make a living.
Momena Begum, a shopkeeper from Karwan Bazar, voiced her concerns, “My income has dropped drastically as my customers can’t reach my shop. With this uncertainty, I don’t know how I’ll manage to feed my family.”
In addition to the traffic jams, businesses are being affected as deliveries are delayed, and regular work is being disrupted. The ongoing situation has sparked concern about the long-term economic impact on the city’s residents.
For the past few days ago, when 9 districts were flood affected. The people had been flocking to the student-teacher center (TSC) of Dhaka University for the public relief collection program of the anti-discrimination student movement to help the flood-affected people in different districts of the country.
A large number of people came to participate in that initiative of the students to deliver cash or relief according to their ability.