A rally at Shahbagh on Saturday ended with an ultimatum demanding progress reports on the arrest of those responsible for killing Inqilab Manch convener Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, with organisers warning of resignations if the demand is not met.
Inqilab Manch member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber announced the ultimatum at around 5:15 pm in front of the July Martyrs’ Memorial at Shahbagh. He said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (Home Ministry) Khoda Baksh Chowdhury must publicly disclose within 24 hours what steps have been taken to arrest the killers. Failure to do so, he said, should lead to their resignation.
The rally began at Shahbagh following Osman Hadi’s funeral at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad. Traffic on all roads around the Shahbagh intersection remained suspended for several hours as thousands gathered.
Participants chanted various slogans during the programme and later offered Asr prayers on the roadway in the afternoon.
In his closing address, Abdullah Al Jaber reiterated two key demands. “Within the next 24 hours, the Home Affairs Adviser and the Assistant Adviser must come before the people and explain what progress has been made over the past week,” he said. “If they cannot respond, they should step down.” He also called for the identification and arrest of individuals he described as responsible for orchestrating violence.
Addressing supporters, he urged restraint for the day but warned of renewed protests if no response comes from the government. “Return home for now. If there is no response by 5:15 pm tomorrow, we will gather here again. We have shown patience many times, but we will not do so any longer,” he said.
Earlier in the rally, Abdullah Al Jaber alleged that attempts were being made to divert attention from Osman Hadi’s killing and disrupt the electoral process through both domestic and foreign interference. “Our first and only demand right now is the arrest of the killers. All discussions will begin only after that,” he told the gathering.
Calling for calm, he urged supporters to avoid actions that could destabilise the country. “We stand for Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and stability. Everyone should act responsibly so that no one can exploit the situation,” he said.
Although the formal programme ended at 5:15 pm, many protesters remained at the intersection for some time. Limited traffic movement resumed around 5:30 pm, with normal traffic flow restored by 6:00 pm after the crowd dispersed.
