Basad launches week-long campaign with 7-point demand

The Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad-Marxist) has launched a week-long nationwide campaign pressing for a seven-point demand.

The demands include reductions in fuel, electricity and essential commodity prices, democratic reforms of state institutions, and the cancellation of what the party describes as an unequal trade agreement with the United States.

The “Demand Week” programme, scheduled from 16-22 June, was inaugurated through a rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Following the rally, party leaders and activists distributed leaflets in several areas of the capital, including Press Club, Paltan, Gulistan and Baitul Mukarram.

Addressing the gathering, Executive Forum Coordinator Masud Rana alleged that rising prices of essential goods and increased electricity tariffs were placing additional burdens on ordinary citizens.

He claimed that power costs could be reduced by cutting expenses related to rental and quick-rental power plants and reducing system losses.

Rana also criticised the government for failing to provide adequate support to farmers affected by crop losses during the Boro harvest season and said many farmers were being deprived of fair prices for their produce.

He further alleged that factory closures in industrial zones were contributing to job losses among workers.

The Basad (marxist) leader said there had been little visible progress in implementing long-discussed democratic reforms of state institutions, accusing political parties of using the reform agenda for political bargaining rather than serving public interests.

Speakers at the rally also expressed concern over the deteriorating law-and-order situation, increasing incidents of violence against women and children, and reports of cross-border push-ins.

They called on the government to take effective measures to address these issues.

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The party’s seven-point charter includes reducing fuel, electricity and commodity prices, introducing a universal rationing system, ensuring justice for the July killings, repealing what it considers undemocratic constitutional provisions, guaranteeing fundamental rights such as education, healthcare and employment, establishing a national minimum wage, reopening state-owned sugar and jute mills, and ensuring fair prices and subsidies for farmers.

The rally concluded with a call for people across the country to support the demands and for party activists to make the week-long campaign a success.