Desk Report: Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the government’s decision to raise fuel prices by Tk 20 per litre, describing the move as “anti-people” and unjustified.
In a joint statement issued on Monday (September 21), Shibir Central President Nurul Islam and Secretary General Sibgatullah strongly condemned the latest price hike and called for the increased prices to be brought back to a tolerable level.
The leaders said fuel prices have been raised for the third time in the past seven months since the current government took office. According to the statement, diesel prices were increased by Tk 15 per litre on April 18, while petrol and octane prices were raised by Tk 5 each in June. The latest hike of Tk 20 per litre was announced on Sunday without prior notice, they claimed.
They said the decision would further increase public hardship at a time when people are already struggling with soaring prices of essential commodities.
“The latest increase will put additional pressure on household budgets, particularly those of low- and middle-income families,” the Shibir leaders said.
They also criticised the government’s reliance on fluctuations in international oil prices as a justification for repeated fuel price increases. The leaders alleged that the government had failed to effectively address alleged mismanagement, corruption and irregularities within the state-run Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and problems in the country’s fuel sector.
Passing the burden of policy and management failures on to ordinary citizens through repeated price hikes is irresponsible, they said.
The Shibir leaders urged the government to immediately reverse the decision and take steps to keep fuel prices within the reach of ordinary consumers.
They also warned that failure to withdraw the increased prices would lead students and the general public to take to the streets and launch a broader movement.
“The people have reached the end of their patience. If the government does not withdraw the increased prices promptly by giving the highest priority to public interest, the student community and the people will be compelled to build a strong movement on the streets,” they said.