Protesters demand removal of anti-reform bureaucrats from Secretariat

Some protesters under the banner of ‘July Manch’ staged a demonstration in front of the Secretariat on Tuesday, demanding the removal of those bureaucrats who are against reforms and the trial of those ‘aligned with fascism’.

Witnesses said the protesters claiming themselves to be July Movement activists took position on the street opposite to the Secretariat in the morning and staged protests as part of their ongoing movement dubbed ‘March for Uprooting Fascism’.

No outsiders were allowed to enter the Secretariat premises due to DMP’s restrictions and heightened security measures.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has restricted all forms of rallies, gatherings, processions and demonstrations in and around the Bangladesh Secretariat, the official residence of the Chief Adviser at Jamuna, and adjoining areas.

July Manch, a student platform that emerged from the July uprising spirit, has been organising events such as human chains to mobilise support against fascism since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year.

The protesters carried placards reading: ‘Down with bureaucracy, let democracy be freed’, ‘We will not let the spirit of defending the country fade’ and ‘Injustice will drown in a flood of blood’.

Protesters said reforms in the public service are essential and bureaucrats with fascist leanings must be identified and ousted immediately.

They started protests amid government employees’ demonstrations for the fourth straight day on Tuesday, demanding the repeal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance-2025, bringing administrative activities at the Secretariat to a halt as visitors were barred from entering.

The protest began around 11am near Building No-6 in the Badamtoli area of the Secretariat amid the tightened security at all entrances.