CPB announces mourning march as Pinaki's call to 'occupy' party office falls flat

The party hoisted a black flag at its office to mourn a child who died after being raped in Magura

The Communist Party of Bangladesh, or CPB, is planning to stage a "mourning procession" in Dhaka to commemorate the death of a child after she was raped in Magura.

CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince announced the programme while speaking to reporters outside the party's central office "Mukti Bhaban" on Saturday.

"We announced a day of mourning for Saturday. The entire country is grieving over the shocking death of the child in Magura. As a mark of protest, we have hoisted black flags at our party office and across the country. In the evening, we will hold a mourning procession," Prince said.

Meanwhile, eight leftist organisations decided to cancel a planned march on Saturday to demand justice for murders and rapes, and to press for the removal of Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury amid concerns over the situation in the country. They held a brief rally instead.

The announcement of the plan was met with a counter-call from writer and online activist Pinaki Bhattacharya, who urged supporters to "occupy" the CPB headquarters in Purana Paltan and turn it into an "office for students and the public".

Despite Pinaki's call, there were no public gatherings or unrest near the CPB’s central office.

At 2:30pm, apart from police officers, journalists, and a few CPB leaders and activists, the area in front of Mukti Bhaban remained calm. Military personnel were also seen patrolling the area.

When asked about claims that the CPB was "rehabilitating" the Awami League through this movement, General Secretary Prince was dismissive, saying: "I don't want to respond to those who make such claims without knowing history."

"Many want a change in power, but they do not seek a change in the system. They are only interested in maintaining their own positions. The leftists and communists are the only ones who genuinely advocate for the people's liberation."

Earlier in the day, CPB activists began gathering in front of the party office and at 10:30am, its President Md Shah Alam hoisted a black flag as a symbol of mourning.