“From ‘Joy Bangla’ to Bangladesh Zindabad, only the slogan has changed — the political culture has not” — Manju“BNP has returned to the old political arrangement despite its 31-point reform agenda” — AB PartyPress ReleaseThe Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) organized a protest rally through its Dhaka Metropolitan South unit in response to the deteriorating law and order situation across the country, extortion, corruption, and growing public insecurity.The rally was held today at Bijoy-71 Square in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. The event was chaired by the Convener of Dhaka Metropolitan South and moderated by the unit’s Member Secretary. The keynote address was delivered by AB Party Chairman, Mujibur Rahman Manju, while remarks were also made by the party’s Joint Secretary General and other party leaders.In his speech, Mujibur Rahman Manju alleged that state institutions had shifted from one form of political influence to another. He stated that previously the administration had been controlled by the Sheikh Hasina-led political structure, whereas now it had come under the influence of Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He remarked, “Earlier attacks were carried out under the slogan of ‘Joy Bangla’; now nationalists slogans like Bangladesh Zindabad are being used. From ‘Joy Bangla’ to Bangladesh Zindabad - only the slogan has changed — the culture itself has not.”He further stated that public concern over the country’s law and order situation and overall condition is increasing day by day. According to him, many expected conditions to improve after the election process, but the post-election period has instead seen a further deterioration in security and public order.Manju said that following the events of 5 August 2024, despite what he described as the effective absence of governmental authority, major conflict did not emerge and students played a responsible role by taking to the streets. He added that AB Party had supported elections, but expected them to take place after the country moved from a fragile situation toward a more stable environment.Criticizing the BNP, he claimed that despite promoting a 31-point reform agenda, the party had returned to previous political practices. He alleged that during the interim government period nearly 7,000 BNP leaders had reportedly been expelled, yet extortion, land grabbing, and political violence had not decreased and had instead intensified.He further claimed that corruption and extortion had become widespread across markets, police stations, and administrative institutions. He stated that AB Party intends to publish information regarding alleged corruption and misconduct and release a “white paper” documenting such activities.Calling on the government to take action, Manju urged authorities to immediately address extortion in markets and other sectors and ensure proper investigations into incidents of violence that have allegedly occurred inside police stations.