Demand to accept Ishraq as mayor, Nagar Bhaban blocked — all DSCC services closed

A section of employees of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) are continuously holding a sit-in program at Nagar Bhaban, demanding that BNP leader Ishraq Hossain be given the responsibility of mayor. Since May 15, the main gate of Nagar Bhaban, including all the department gates, have been locked. As a result, all civic service activities have practically stopped. Service seekers are returning disappointed after not receiving services at Nagar Bhaban.

Employees participating in the movement under the banners of ‘Dhaka South City Corporation Sramik Karmacharya Union’ and ‘Dhakabasi’ are holding regular processions inside Nagar Bhaban. They say that Ishraq Hossain is the legal mayor of Dhaka South City according to the court verdict and the Election Commission’s gazette. But he has not been allowed to take the oath yet, which is completely unreasonable.

Employee Khorshed Alam, who participated in the movement, said, “Even after the court verdict in two rounds, Ishraq Hossain is not being allowed to take oath. We want Ishraq as mayor. The movement will continue until our demands are met.” Another employee, Zahidur Rahman, said, “Just as the people of Dhaka want to see Ishraq Bhai as mayor, all DSCC employees also want him as mayor. If our mayor does not take charge, we will not return to work.”

The protesters are continuing their movement every day in the premises of the Nagar Bhaban with various slogans. Their slogans are— “I want oath, oath, I want Ishraq Bhai’s oath”, “Making excuses about the mayor, will not be tolerated”, “The fight will continue, Ishraq Bhai will fight”.

Incidentally, Awami League candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh was declared the winner in the DSCC elections held on February 1, 2020. BNP candidate Ishraq Hossain filed a case seeking to cancel the election results. On March 27 this year, the Dhaka Election Tribunal annulled the results and declared Ishraq Hossain the mayor. Then, on April 27, the Election Commission published the gazette. But on May 14, a writ was filed in the High Court to prevent Ishraq from taking the oath.

In view of that writ, there was a delay in explaining the mayor's responsibilities. In this situation, Ishraq's supporters started a movement from May 15. As a result, the activities of the city building were completely paralyzed. However, the High Court recently dismissed the writ and after that Ishraq announced that the movement of his supporters would be suspended for 48 hours.

Due to this movement, the public has suffered severely. All service works including death-birth certificates, trade licenses, garbage management, tax collection are closed. The city residents demand that this complication be quickly put an end to and service activities be activated.