Recently, Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), alleged that over 2,000 of its members were arrested on false charges related to vandalism and arson during student protests calling for government job quota reforms. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir voiced these concerns at a press briefing in Dhaka, advocating for the immediate release of detained members.
Authorities reported 1,380 arrests in the past three days in connection with the protests, leading to a $5 million loss attributed to the violence. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police confirmed 69 arson attacks on their establishments, emphasizing the disruptions caused by the protests.
Despite challenges in communication and political activities, BNP continued to criticize the government for downplaying casualties and blaming the opposition for the unrest. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on the other hand, accused BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami of sabotaging the economy and engaging in destructive activities post the 2013-14 election.
These contrasting narratives highlight the ongoing political tensions in Bangladesh, with both parties trading accusations and seeking to shape public perception amidst the current unrest.