Imagine a bustling marketplace, the vibrant heart of a community’s daily life, suddenly shadowed by exploitation. Merchants manipulate prices, creating artificial scarcity, while families struggle to purchase their daily essentials. This stark reality underscores the urgency of addressing unethical market practices during Ramadan, a sacred month of generosity and unity. Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus has recognised this pressing issue and called for decisive actions. By rallying field-level officials, he has begun the crucial task of ensuring fairness and protecting vulnerable communities. During a recent video conference with officials from 31 districts, Prof. Yunus emphasised the importance of maintaining strict law and order, preserving agricultural products and fostering communal harmony. But, beneath these commendable efforts lies the scary influence of syndicates— the groups that hoard goods, inflate prices and disrupt fair trade. These practices not only violate ethical principles but also exacerbate poverty and inequality in society. Governments must take concrete steps to dismantle these monopolistic structures, ensuring that the marketplace reflects the values of fairness and transparency in Ramadan.

The human impact of price manipulation is profound. Families on the brink of poverty face agonising decisions: skipping nutritious meals or forgoing other essentials. According to a recent report, the prices of essential goods like lentils and cooking oil can spike by as much as 40% during Ramadan, making necessities out of reach for many. In Bangladesh, over 20% of the population lives below the poverty line, and food banks report a 30% increase in demand during Ramadan. Women, often tasked with managing household budgets, bear the heaviest burdens, while children—the future of our communities—suffer the long-term consequences of malnutrition and inadequate opportunities. Addressing these inequities requires targeted measures, such as food subsidies and direct cash disbursement, to ensure that vulnerable populations are not left behind during this holy month. To combat these challenges, governments can draw inspiration from successful global practices. In Turkey, municipal markets run by local governments offer essential goods at fixed and affordable prices during the month of Ramadan. Similarly, in Egypt, special Ramadan food packages subsidised by the state are distributed to low-income families, providing much-needed relief during this high-demand period. Our government can also follow these examples.

Meanwhile, civil society organisations can play a pivotal role in addressing the immediate needs of vulnerable communities. Food banks, community kitchens, and zakat (almsgiving) programmes exemplify the spirit of Ramadan, providing relief to those in need. For example, the initiative for mobilising communities to distribute surplus food directly to impoverished neighbourhoods can significantly reduce waste while feeding thousands. Advocacy campaigns can raise public awareness, assembling collective action against unethical practices.

In Bangladesh, civil society groups successfully pushed for increased penalties against hoarders, demonstrating the power of community-driven change. These efforts reinforce networks of care and solidarity, embodying the values of justice and compassion. Consumers, too, have a critical role to play. By choosing to support ethical traders and avoiding businesses engaged in exploitative practices, individuals can influence market dynamics. In India, a grassroots movement led by residents encouraged consumers to buy directly from farmers at pop-up markets, bypassing exploitative middlemen. This initiative not only improved transparency but also provided farmers with fair prices. Public education campaigns can provide consumers with simple tools, like apps or guides, to identify and support ethical traders, ensuring their purchasing decisions drive market fairness. Local traders can organise cooperatives to resist syndicate control, creating fairer competition. In addition, Blockchain technology can track supply chains and provide real-time stock updates, preventing hoarding and scarcity. Digital platforms can be used for monitoring market prices as it has already shown success in reducing unethical practices in several regions.

Preserving agricultural products and ensuring smooth supply chains are also imperative. Small-scale farmers often suffer the most due to disrupted markets, as they lack the resources to compete with larger players. By investing in storage facilities and transportation infrastructure, the government can support these farmers, reducing waste and ensuring a steady supply of goods during Ramadan. Public-private partnerships can further enhance these efforts, combining resources and expertise to address logistical challenges effectively. Policy recommendations must go beyond generalisations. Governments must act now by implementing strict penalties for hoarding and price gouging, supporting small farmers with infrastructure investments, and leveraging technology to improve supply chain transparency. Independent regulatory bodies should oversee these efforts, ensuring accountability at every level of the market.

Now imagine again that there is a transformed marketplace, where the spirit of Ramadan is evident in every transaction. Traders operate with integrity, offering fair prices, while families shop without fear of exploitation. Civil society initiatives also successfully create safety nets for the most vulnerable families. Farmers benefit from equitable systems that value their contributions, and consumers feel empowered by transparent market practices. This vision is not a distant dream but an achievable reality. Dismantling syndicates and restoring fair trade will help realise it. Together, we can rescue the markets from the battlegrounds of greed and transform them into sanctuaries of equity, ensuring that the blessings of Ramadan are shared equally by all.

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The writer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at IUBAT and pursuing a Masters in Human Rights and Multiculturalism at University of South Eastern Norway