Supporters of Ishraque Hossain, who was declared the mayor of Dhaka South last month, have padlocked all entrances to the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) headquarters, Nagar Bhaban, disrupting essential public services for the second time in recent days.
The protest, held under the banner of “Dhakabashi” (People of Dhaka), aims to pressure the authorities into formally appointing Ishraque as mayor, following a court verdict in his favour.
At approximately 9 a.m. on Saturday, protesters locked every gate of Nagar Bhaban, effectively suspending all operations within the building. On-site reports confirmed that at least 65 padlocks were used, as claimed by demonstrators.
The demonstration stems from what supporters describe as an unjust delay by the government in administering the oath of office to Ishraque Hossain.
The Election Commission (EC) issued a gazette notification on 27 April, formally declaring Ishraque the legitimate mayor of Dhaka South, in accordance with a court ruling related to the disputed 2020 mayoral election.
Ishraque, who contested the election as a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate, challenged the results in court after losing.
In a strongly worded statement during Saturday’s protest, demonstrators declared Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan and his secretary Rezaul Maksud Zahedi, “unwelcome” at Nagar Bhaban and warned they would be resisted if found on the premises.
As a result of the blockade, DSCC officials and employees were unable to enter the building, effectively rendering the day an unofficial public holiday. The premises also house the offices of the Local Government Division, which similarly ceased operations due to the protest.
According to participants, Saturday marked the third consecutive day of demonstrations. A similar blockade was carried out on Thursday, during which all entrances to Nagar Bhaban were sealed, and public services were suspended.
Protesters began gathering outside the city corporation headquarters at 9am on Saturday and staged a sit-in until around 11am, before attempting to march towards the Secretariat. However, heavy police barricades prevented them from reaching their intended destination.
At approximately 1:30pm, the demonstrators concluded the day’s programme by announcing further protests for Sunday. Speaking at the gathering, retired senior secretary Moshiur Rahman affirmed that demonstrations would continue until Ishraque is formally instated as mayor.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives sent a letter to the Law and Justice Division on Thursday, seeking legal clarification on whether any complications remain in implementing the court’s verdict, and whether the EC’s decision not to file an appeal raises legal concerns.
The letter, signed by Joint Secretary Mahbuba Irene, has further fuelled doubts about the government’s intention and timeline for executing the court’s ruling.
Several DSCC staff members expressed solidarity with the protesters on Saturday, joining the demonstration and demanding that Ishraque be sworn in without further delay.
Public services were disrupted not only at the central headquarters but also across all 10 regional DSCC offices. According to an executive engineer—speaking on condition of anonymity—Ishraque’s supporters held simultaneous protests at these regional offices, barring officials and employees from entering the buildings.
The disruption has had significant consequences for ordinary citizens. Around 2pm, Nasrin Begum from Jurain arrived at Nagar Bhaban with her daughter and brother to collect her father’s death certificate.
It was her second failed attempt due to the protests. “I came on Thursday and couldn’t get in. I came again today and found all the gates locked. I don’t know what to do,” she said in frustration.
At the same time, Shawon Ahmed travelled from Gulshan to inquire about a relative’s birth registration, only to find the premises inaccessible. “Ordinary people in this city are suffering,” he said. “We want this to end soon.”
As the deadlock persists, public dissatisfaction is growing due to the prolonged disruption of vital civic services. With both political and administrative responses still pending, many are calling for a swift and decisive resolution to ease the burden on Dhaka’s residents.