Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain have threatened to escalate their protests if he is not sworn in as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) within the next 24 hours.

The warning came during a sit-in demonstration inside Nagar Bhaban—the DSCC headquarters—on Monday afternoon. 

The protest, led by DSCC Workers' Union and Ishraque’s supporters, has now entered its 13th consecutive day.

Mashiur Rahman, former DSCC secretary and chief coordinator of the programme, announced the ultimatum while addressing protesters.

“We gave a 48-hour ultimatum, half of which has already passed. Yet our demand remains unmet. If Ishraque Hossain is not sworn in as mayor within the next 24 hours, we will launch a tougher agitation. 

The people of Dhaka will ensure he takes the mayor's seat through this movement,” he said.

Rahman added that while the sit-in would continue, emergency services—particularly those of the sanitation department—would remain operational. 

Sanitation workers were instructed to collect their essentials, ensuring minimal disruption to critical public services.

Since 11am Monday, demonstrators occupied Nagar Bhaban, halting all regular civic services. 

The protest began on May 14, with demonstrators demanding that Ishraque Hossain be formally sworn in as mayor. 

Meanwhile, the High Court bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury turned down a writ plea filed by Mamunur on May 22 to prevent Ishraque from taking the oath.

Later on Monday (May 26) a Supreme Court lawyer has moved the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division over BNP leader Ishraque Hossain’s swearing-in as the Dhaka South mayor.

Md Mamunur Rashid filed the appeal seeking a stay on the High Court’s order that rejected a petition challenging Ishraque’s oath-taking.

MSK/SMS