Depositors of Sammilito Islami Bank staged a human chain and sit-in in front of the Bangladesh Bank headquarters on Thursday, demanding the cancellation of the proposed ‘haircut’ decision and pressing a three-point demand.
Around 11am, nearly 50 depositors gathered outside Bangladesh Bank and issued a one-hour ultimatum to authorities, warning they would escalate their protest if their grievances were ignored.
Speakers alleged that under a decision taken during the tenure of a former Bangladesh Bank governor, profits earned over the past two years would be deducted from deposits in five Shariah-based banks.
Depositors would receive only a 4 per cent government concession, which the demonstrators described as unjust and inhumane.
“For the past two years, many depositors have been unable to withdraw their principal or accrued profits,” said a protester. “This has pushed numerous families into severe financial hardship, leaving them to endure extremely difficult lives.”
The protestors demanded full repayment of deposits, including profits for 2024 and 2025, in line with the original agreements. They also called for all banking operations at Sammilito Islami Bank to be normalised, as in other scheduled banks.
Issuing a stern warning, the demonstrators said that if their demands were not met, they would organise a full-scale siege of Bangladesh Bank on 12 March.
