The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) held a rally at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on Friday, January 3, 2025, emphasizing that liberation for the country and its people can only be achieved through a systemic change and a social revolution. The party leaders urged the interim government to announce a specific date for the national election by January 15, 2025, through discussions with political parties and other stakeholders.
Presided over by CPB President Mohammad Shah Alam, the rally was attended by General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince, Presidium member Sajjad Zahir Chandan, former president Mujahidul Islam Selim, and Sujan Bhowmik, the son of slain CPB leader Pradip Bhowmik. Assistant General Secretary Mihir Ghosh moderated the event, with several central committee members and leaders of other leftist-democratic alliances expressing solidarity.
Key Demands and Statements
CPB President Mohammad Shah Alam called on the interim government to prioritize resolving the ongoing crises in public life, ensuring public safety, and announcing a concrete election date. He criticized the government’s inability to control lawlessness, mob justice, price hikes, and administrative instability, highlighting the nation’s precarious state.
He warned of the resurgence of communal and anti-liberation forces, accusing them of undermining the spirit of the 1972 Constitution and exploiting the Liberation War for political gains. Shah Alam stated, “These forces are making the government controversial, and their actions are unacceptable to the people of Bangladesh.”
General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince emphasized the need for unity among leftist forces to resist foreign domination, particularly from India, and safeguard Bangladesh’s sovereignty. He said, “We must remain vigilant against fallen autocratic and communal forces while fighting for the people's rights and a fair democratic process.”
Prince also called for immediate action on several issues, including:
Justice for the victims of the July-August 2024 uprising.
Rehabilitation of those affected by the political violence.
Reducing essential commodity prices.
Ensuring fair wages and job security.
Providing affordable agricultural inputs and guaranteeing profitable prices for crops.
Nationwide Campaign Announced
The CPB announced a week-long campaign titled ‘March for Democracy’ from January 20-27, 2025. The initiative aims to mobilize nationwide support for democracy and raise awareness of the people’s demands.
Rally and March
Thousands of disciplined CPB supporters, carrying red flags, participated in the rally and subsequent march, which traversed key areas of Dhaka, including Shahbagh, Elephant Road, and Science Lab. The massive turnout was a rare show of strength by the leftist movement, marking a significant moment in Dhaka’s political landscape.
The CPB leaders concluded the rally with a renewed call for intensified public movements to achieve systemic change and address the nation’s crises.
