Protests at secretariat, NBR, Nagar Bhaban make Dhaka ill at ease

Dhaka’s administrative zone is witnessing a wave of unrest. Protests are ongoing simultaneously at three key institutions: the Secretariat, the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). From civil service officials across 25 cadres to employees of the Rural Electrification Board, various groups are staging work stoppages over different demands.

While the issues vary, there is a common thread among all the protests: dissatisfaction with government decisions and firm resistance by public employees.

protest rallies, sit-ins, and work abstention continued concurrently at the Secretariat and DSCC on Monday.

At the NBR, although employees temporarily called off their work stoppage on Sunday (May 25), they have announced a continued non-cooperation campaign demanding the removal of NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan. In a press conference on Monday, the NBR Reform Unity Council issued an ultimatum to the government to remove him by Thursday (May 29).

Meanwhile, civil servants from 25 different cadres will observe a two-day pen-down strike on Tuesday (May 27) and Wednesday (May 28), protesting the temporary suspension and departmental actions against officers. They are also demanding the formation of profession-specific ministries, the abolition of the DS Pool quota, and equal status for all cadres. Under the banner of the Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council, these officials will hold their protests nationwide from 9 AM to 12 PM on both days.

Employees of the Rural Electrification Board have also announced a nationwide work stoppage starting Tuesday.

Secretariat Unrest over ‘Black Law’
For a second consecutive day, government staff from various ministries demonstrated inside the Secretariat, protesting the draft of the Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 and demanding its immediate withdrawal. They allege that the draft law is repressive and unconstitutional.

The protests are being led by the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council.

Protesters argue that the ordinance allows for termination without proper opportunity for self-defense, imposes punishment for minor administrative issues like absence without leave or disruption of duties, and severely limits avenues for reinstatement. They believe this ordinance endangers the job security and dignity of public servants.

Their message is clear: If the ordinance is not withdrawn, the Secretariat will be locked down.

NBR Deadlock over Chairman’s Removal
Revenue officials and employees were already angered by the government’s interim move to dissolve the National Board of Revenue and the Internal Resources Division and establish two new departments—Revenue Policy and Revenue Administration.

On Sunday, NBR staff observed a full-day work stoppage at their Agargaon headquarters starting at 9 AM, protesting the ordinance issued on May 12 regarding the board’s dissolution.

Labeling the reform as unprofessional and uncoordinated, NBR staff said the move would destabilize the revenue system, reduce efficiency, and weaken oversight. Holding placards, the protesting employees declared: “We are revenue collectors, not predators.”

After the government offered reassurances on Sunday that the ordinance would be reconsidered, the full-scale strike was temporarily suspended. However, the demand for the removal of NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan remains firm.

At the press conference, the NBR Reform Unity Council stated that a severe trust deficit has developed regarding the chairman’s leadership. They alleged that he failed to accurately inform policymakers about the scope, rationale, and extent of their protests, thus deliberately downplaying the situation.

The council confirmed that the ongoing non-cooperation movement against the chairman will continue as planned.

Lockdown at Nagar Bhaban by Ishraq Supporters
Outside the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) headquarters, BNP supporters have been holding a continuous sit-in since May 14—pausing only for a 48-hour break—demanding that BNP leader Ishraq Hossain be instated as mayor.

Protesters, operating under the banner “Dhakabashi” (People of Dhaka), have locked all gates of the City Hall. Their slogan: “Ishraq Hossain is the people’s mayor; we will reclaim our right!”

As a result, all services including trade licenses, birth and death registrations, and holding tax processing have come to a standstill, causing severe inconvenience for Dhaka residents.

What Lies Ahead?
All protesting groups have made it clear—they will not back down until their demands are met.

Analysts argue that these protests go beyond mere discontent; they point to deeper issues like policy-level reforms in administration, transparency in appointments, constitutional rights, and political motivations.

The government now faces two key challenges. One is engaging in responsible dialogue by seriously considering the protesters' demands and another is ensuring continuity of civic and administrative services amidst the disruption.