Members of the Consumer Forum have announced that they will continue their protests until Khurshid Alam resigns as the Chairman of Islamic Bank. They also called for a two-hour work stoppage by bank officials tomorrow in solidarity with consumers.
A protest march was held today in Motijheel, Dilkusha, Dhaka. Nur Nabi Manik, President of the Consumer Forum, made these remarks before the march. He demanded that 82% of S Alam's shares in Islamic Bank be sold to settle his debts. He also called for S Alam to be brought back to the country for trial and for the recovery of laundered money.
Nur Nabi Manik stated that the Consumer Forum will be present in front of the Islamic Bank Tower on the day Khurshid Alam visits. He emphasized that they will not accept him as the Chairman of Islamic Bank. Additionally, he asserted that no defaulting or accused director can remain on the bank's board.
The protest march began from Dilkusha and proceeded towards the Press Club. M Jubaydur Rahman, the previous Chairman of Islamic Bank, resigned on the last working day before Eid. That same evening at 9 PM, Bangladesh Bank appointed former Deputy Governor Mohammad Khurshid Alam as the new Chairman of Islamic Bank.
Since then, consumers of Islamic Bank have been protesting under the banner of the Consumer Forum. They have received support from Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh.
The protesters also condemned the remarks made by Arif Hossain Khan, Spokesperson and Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, on Monday. Arif Hossain Khan had stated that members of a political party are causing unrest regarding Islamic Bank and that street protests will not change the decision of Bangladesh Bank.
The protesters expressed their disappointment with the political statements made by a responsible authority like Bangladesh Bank. They emphasized that they are consumers advocating for their rights as consumers.
