Bangladesh: Jamaat-e-Islami party postpones Aug. 1 rally in Dhaka to Aug. 4 after police withhold permission to demonstrate /update 1

Event

The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party has postponed a rally in Dhaka to Aug. 4 after the city police denied the group permission to demonstrate at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Aug. 1. Organizers have held a series of rallies in recent days to demand several political concessions ahead of the country's January 2024 general election. As of Aug. 1, activists did not disclose a specific start time or gathering venue for the planned Aug. 4 rally, citing concerns of potential harassment by law enforcement.

Possible gathering sites include political party offices as well as prominent government buildings, public squares, sports grounds, and thoroughfares. If well attended, the gathering is likely to draw up to tens of thousands of participants. Activists may hold additional gatherings in the capital on Aug. 4. Demonstrators could also reschedule or cancel the event with little-to-no notice due to organizational or security-related issues.

Authorities will almost certainly monitor the rally and may move to disperse overly disruptive crowds. Clashes between police and activists, as well as between supporters of rival camps, cannot be ruled out. Demonstrators may march along or block roadways, prompting localized transport disruptions. Associated localized business disruptions are also possible.

Advice

Avoid the demonstration due to the increased potential for violence at political events ahead of the general election. Depart the area at the first sign of any security disturbance. Allow additional travel time near the gathering site. Heed all official transport and security advisories.