PHOTO: STAR

MUNTAKIM SAAD and SHAHEEN MOLLAH

Dhaka has worn many titles: the city of mosques, the Venice of the east, the rickshaw Capital of the World.

It’s about time the metropolis gets a new moniker: the city of protests.

But Dhaka’s protests are mostly a commuter’s nightmare, as it amplifies the city’s infamous traffic woes.

Since August 5 last year, following the fall of Sheikh Hasina through a popular uprising, it seems all 24.65 million [estimated] residents of this city have at least one demand each.

And they want them all addressed -- everything, everywhere, all at once.

Grievances, aspirations, and frustrations accumulated over the past 15 years are now flooding the streets of the capital.

From the logical to ludicrous, Dhaka’s streets have become the stage for everything under the sun.

If you’re navigating Dhaka’s streets, consider this fair warning: the question isn’t whether you’ll encounter a protest, but when.

Take the recent Titumir College protests as an example. Yesterday, for the fourth day straight, students blocked the roads in front of their campus and at the Gulshan-1 intersection, demanding university status for their institution.

On January 30, both sides of the road were obstructed, resulting in hours-long traffic congestion. Commuters could do little but watch the clock tick.

The same group had previously blocked roads and railways in Mohakhali on November 18.

Meanwhile, injured protesters from the mass uprising took to Mirpur Road to demand better medical treatment and compensation. This caused significant disruptions on one of Dhaka’s key arteries.

Simultaneously, “Inquilab Mancha” led a protest march to the home ministry, calling for the resignation of the home affairs adviser and denouncing the “safe exit” granted to individuals allegedly involved in the July killings.

January 22 saw two separate protests in Karwan Bazar and Shahbagh, while days earlier, four different protests erupted across the city -- in Mohakhali, Shikkha Bhaban, Agargaon, and Shaheed Minar.

People have taken to the streets for multiple other reasons -- some demanding job regularisation, others seeking to curb corruption, and some claiming to be victims of discrimination or deprived of their rights.

Many even gathered in front of the chief adviser’s residence at Jamuna (the state guesthouse) to voice their demands. Over time, Shahbagh became another preferred protest site.

Protests have erupted in various areas, including Uttara, Mohakhali, Mirpur Road, Jatiya Press Club, Secretariat, Rampura, and Kakrail, blocking key roads.

Demands have varied widely. There have been protests against not taking the HSC exams, as well as movements demanding the exams to be held again. On multiple occasions, protesters have even forced their way into the Secretariat.

On August 26 last year, hundreds of pedal rickshaw drivers blocked roads in Shahbagh, demanding a ban on battery-operated rickshaws. However, on November 19, battery rickshaw drivers launched counter-protests after a High Court ruling restricted their movement.

Other major protests include demands for raising the government job entry age to 35 and dismissed workers seeking reinstatement.

On August 13, Ansar members demonstrated for job regularisation, which escalated on August 25 when they surrounded the Secretariat.

Besides, garment workers, tea labourers, families of ex-BDR members, minority rights groups, and various other groups demonstrated on the streets.

In an attempt to address this crisis, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) recently launched a partial traffic update service via the national emergency helpline 999. Introduced on January 28, the service provides real-time updates on road closures due to protests, construction, or accidents.

DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali said, “ I urge them [protesters] to stay on the sidewalk, but unfortunately, road blockades have become the preferred method of protest.”

A traffic constable from DMP’s Ramna division said the main reasons for increasing traffic congestion at key intersections like Shahbagh and Farmgate

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