Staff Correspondent: The Bangladesh Nationalist Motor Vehicle Drivers' Association staged a demonstration and road march in Dhaka on Saturday, protesting what it described as attempts to destabilise the country through arson, cocktail explosions, street violence and other alleged subversive activities by activists of the Awami League.
The programme began in front of the National Press Club and concluded at the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) central office in Naya Paltan. Leaders of the association said the demonstration was aimed at raising public awareness about what they alleged were attempts to create insecurity and disrupt law and order.
BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel participated the program as the chief guest. He, however,. strongly protested against the alleged acts of violence and subversion attributed by the organisers to Awami League activists.
The BNP has recently urged its leaders and activists to remain united against what it describes as planned attempts to destabilise the country through violence. At a BNP joint meeting on September 20, senior party leaders called for stronger organisational activities in response to what the party termed attempts to create instability.
The drivers' association, meanwhile, said members of the transport sector had a particular interest in maintaining stability because political violence and disruptions can directly affect road transport, movement of goods and the daily activities of ordinary citizens.
Central Coordinator of the Bangladesh Nationalist Motor Vehicle Drivers' Association Arifur Rahman Tushar said the demonstration had been organised in protest against activities that, according to the association, were intended to undermine the country's law-and-order situation and create insecurity among the public.
He alleged that attempts were being made to disrupt peace and embarrass the government through acts of sabotage. The association, he said, would resist such activities through democratic programmes involving transport workers, drivers and members of the general public.
"The transport sector cannot remain indifferent when attempts are made to create instability and insecurity," Tushar said, according to the organisers' statement. He called upon the association's leaders, activists and members from district, upazila and metropolitan units to participate in democratic programmes against violence and disorder.
The association had earlier called on drivers and citizens from different sections of society to join the programme and make the protest successful. Speaking on the sidelines of the programme, Alhaj Moulana Delwar Hossain told The Daily Industry that the incumbent government led by Tarique Zia was working to strengthen the country's economy and maintain peace and discipline in society.
"It is very unfortunate that the Awami League is trying to destabilise the country by conducting arson, cocktail explosions and acts of street violence," he said.
Moulana Delwar Hossain also criticised what he described as violent activities and called upon citizens to oppose such acts through peaceful and democratic means.
He said maintaining stability was important not only for public safety but also for economic activity, investment and the uninterrupted operation of businesses and transport services.
The remarks came amid continuing political tensions surrounding the Awami League and allegations of violence involving political activists. The Awami League's political status and activities have remained a major issue in Bangladesh's post-2024 political landscape. Government officials have previously said that questions concerning the party's political future should be dealt with through legal and judicial processes.
Political allegations concerning violence, however, remain contested, and claims made by individual parties or organisations should be distinguished from independently established findings. Recent reporting has documented allegations of political violence involving several groups, while investigations and legal proceedings have addressed individual incidents separately.
For the drivers' association, the immediate focus of Saturday's programme was the protection of public order and the continuation of normal transport activities.
Transport workers are particularly exposed to the consequences of political unrest because road blockades, vandalism, arson and clashes can disrupt passenger and freight movement. Such disruptions can also affect supply chains and increase costs for businesses and consumers.
The organisers said they wanted to communicate their opposition to violence through rallies and other democratic programmes rather than allowing instability to affect ordinary people demonstration was attended by Convenor Nazmul Karim Apu, Member Secretary Humayun Kabir Likhon, Joint Secretary Abdur Rahman and Joint International Affairs Secretary Jesmine Ahter, among others. Addressing participants, organisers reiterated their call for vigilance against what they described as clandestine attacks, sabotage and attempts to create panic among citizens.
They also called upon drivers, transport workers and citizens to remain united in protecting peace and stability. The programme concluded at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, where participants reiterated their opposition to what they alleged were violent and subversive activities.
The BNP leadership has also continued to highlight the issue of political stability in its recent organisational programmes. At its September 20 meeting, senior leaders agreed to intensify organisational activities while calling for unity against what the party described as planned violence aimed at destabilising the country.
Saturday's demonstration therefore brought together a political message from BNP leaders and a sector-specific concern from transport workers, with organisers emphasising the importance of maintaining law and order and ensuring that political conflict does not disrupt everyday economic and social activities.
The drivers' association said it would continue to organise democratic programmes in coordination with its members and supporters to oppose activities that it believes threaten public security and stability.
