Rickshaw Pullers Protest at Raju Memorial Over Exclusion from Political Programs

Staff Reporter

Rickshaw pullers protested at the Raju Memorial sculpture at Dhaka University, expressing discontent over being excluded from political programs.

They alleged that political parties conduct various programs and movements without inviting rickshaw pullers or considering their opinions. They demanded reforms in the rickshaw sector.

On Wednesday evening, March 19, they gathered at the Raju Memorial to voice their concerns.

One rickshaw puller stated, “Political leaders hold meetings and discussions in Dhaka’s big hotels, but our voices are never included. We are an inseparable part of this city, yet our struggles are ignored.”

Another added, “The rickshaw sector needs reform. We need relief from the high-interest loan trap and access to government loans. We face the greatest social inequalities, but no one listens to us.”

Protesting rickshaw pullers also said, “We are on the streets day and night, witnessing the city’s hardships, but no one acknowledges ours. We stand beside the vehicles of leaders and ministers, yet no arrangements are made for us.”

They urged the formulation of special policies to improve the quality of life for rickshaw pullers and called for access to government loans to free them from the cycle of high-interest repayments.