Bangladesh police used rubber bullets and tear gas on Saturday to disperse opposition party supporters in Dhaka demanding the prime minister’s resignation. The main opposition party, in disarray since its leader’s imprisonment in 2018, has been holding large protest rallies over the high cost of living. They demand a neutral caretaker government for the upcoming January 2024 election, a request rejected by the current government.
During the clashes, BNP activists set fire to buses and exploded petrol bombs. The police claim they were attacked without reason while trying to ease traffic flow. The clashes resulted in injuries to dozens of BNP supporters and at least 20 police officers.
Senior BNP leader Abdul Moyeen Khan criticized the police action as unjust and accused the ruling regime of being autocratic, aiming to remain in power through a rigged election.
The government’s crackdown on anti-government protests has drawn criticism from Western governments and rights groups. In May, the United States announced visa restrictions for those undermining Bangladesh’s democratic process.
Accusations of vote-rigging and suppressing the opposition have raised concerns about the fairness of previous elections. Prime Minister Hasina has faced accusations of authoritarianism, human rights violations, and suppressing free speech and dissent while imprisoning her critics. Her arch rival, former premier Khaleda, remains under a special provision at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is barred from political activity.
