Torch Procession Demanding Cancellation of Trade Agreement with the United States
Demanding the cancellation of the trade agreement with the United States, the Democratic Student Alliance held a torch procession and rally. On Friday evening, the procession began from the TSC of University of Dhaka and marched through different roads of the campus before ending with a rally at the Raju Sculpture.
At the rally, speakers said that an “unequal and anti-national” trade agreement had been signed with the United States just before the national election during the tenure of the interim government, without the consent of the people. They warned that if the agreement is implemented, the country’s agriculture, pharmaceutical industry, dairy, and poultry sectors will face severe damage.
Speakers said that under the agreement, Bangladesh would be forced to import U.S. agricultural products, wheat, beef, and cotton. This, they claimed, would harm local farmers and industrial entrepreneurs. They also expressed concern that strict patent policies would increase production costs in the pharmaceutical sector and raise medicine prices for ordinary people.
Leaders of the Democratic Student Alliance said at the rally that this was not an agreement, but rather a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump. They alleged that the government and major political parties in parliament remained silent on this agreement, which they described as being against the country’s sovereignty.
Speakers further stated that the agreement with the United States would make Bangladesh’s economy dependent on foreign powers and undermine the interests of workers and farmers. They warned of a larger movement if the agreement is not canceled.
From the rally, a protest program marching toward the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was announced for the 11th.
Among those who spoke at the rally were writer and researcher Maha Mirza, President of the Socialist Students Front Rafiquzzaman Farid, President of the Democratic Student Council Chayedul Haque Nishan, and President of the Bangladesh Student Union Tamzid Haider Chanchal, among others.
