'Extreme failure' - Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami unleashes mass protests, demands immediate govt intervention over rising energy crisis

"Bangladesh's opposition Jamaat-e-Islami alliance held a massive demonstration in Dhaka on Saturday, announcing a series of upcoming protests to demand urgent government action on the energy crisis. Footage shows hundreds of demonstrators marching through city streets voicing their frustration over economic policies. Supporters held placards as they gathered at a busy intersection, demanding immediate government intervention. Thousands of leaders and activists participated in this mass march, marking the first significant opposition action since the energy crisis began in late February. "The current fuel crisis is not only in Bangladesh; it is affecting the entire world, largely due to the Iran war. However, this government lacks the necessary preparedness to handle such challenges. Despite claims of sufficient fuel stocks, long lines at petrol stations tell a different story," said protester Ashraful Alam. "While the government asserts there is enough fuel, poor management prevents people from obtaining it even after 12-14 hours of waiting. Many no longer believe that sufficient fuel exists," added Minanur Rahnan. Protesters called for immediate solutions to the worsening energy crisis and control over soaring commodity prices, as well as action to address the suffering caused by fuel shortages and to honour the referendum results. The opposition plans to continue targeting the newly elected Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government. The demonstration came just days after the government announced a 10-15 percent hike in fuel prices, triggering widespread public anger as rising costs threaten transportation and production across the board. Bangladesh, which imports around 95 per cent of its oil, primarily from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, faces heightened risk as supply routes remain unstable. Shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for roughly 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas, have driven prices higher and strained imports. The disruption follows escalating tensions after the United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran on February 28, intensifying pressure on global energy markets."

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