Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly protested the recent decision to increase electricity prices, labeling it as 'anti-people.' The party has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the increased prices and control over the rising cost of living. Jamaat has announced protest demonstrations in all major cities of the country, including Dhaka, on Thursday. In Dhaka, the protest will take place at 5 PM at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram. These details were provided in a statement on Jamaat's verified Facebook page yesterday. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the increase in electricity prices at a press conference yesterday. The wholesale and retail prices of electricity have both been increased. The average increase in wholesale electricity prices is 19.85%, the transmission charge is 23.96%, and the average increase in consumer electricity prices is 16.68%. The new prices will be effective from June. The increased prices will affect all categories of consumers. Jamaat's Facebook post stated that the increase in electricity prices was done in a hurry. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Ghulam Parwar expressed strong condemnation and protest against this anti-people decision and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the increased prices and control over the rising cost of living. Former Member of Parliament Mia Ghulam Parwar said in his statement that the government has resorted to extreme and cruel tactics to cut the pockets of ordinary people. The abnormal increase in electricity prices in a hurry, keeping the upcoming budget in mind, is a great injustice to the common people. He mentioned that the rising prices of all essential items have already put the middle class and low-income people in a difficult situation, and the increase in electricity prices will add to their woes. Mia Ghulam Parwar commented that the increase in electricity prices will make the lives of ordinary people unbearable. He said that with the increase in electricity prices, the cost of industrial and agricultural production will increase significantly. Stagnation will occur in factories, businesses, and the agricultural sector. The prices of essential items like rice, lentils, and oil will increase further. Mia Ghulam Parwar said that the main reason for this price increase is the rampant corruption, waste, and looting in the power sector, and the capacity charges of quick rental power plants. He criticized the government for not taking any responsibility towards the people and making such inhuman decisions. Jamaat's Secretary General called for an end to all corruption, waste, and looting in the power sector and prioritizing public interest. He said, 'At the same time, considering the extreme suffering of the common people, we strongly demand the immediate withdrawal of the anti-people and unreasonable decision to increase electricity prices.' The same statement announced Jamaat's protest program. It was mentioned that on June 4 (Thursday), all city organizations of Jamaat will hold protest programs demanding the withdrawal of the unreasonable and abnormal increase in electricity prices and control over the rising cost of living. The Dhaka city organization of Jamaat will hold a protest at 5 PM on Thursday at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram.'
Protest Details
The Jamaat's protest in Dhaka will take place at 5 PM on Thursday at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram. The party has called for similar protests in all major cities across the country.
