Addressing the media on Tuesday, party leaders accused the government of orchestrated political harassment. They claimed that after disrupting their discussion meeting arranged to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, state authorities pressured the Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad (Bangladesh Child Welfare Council) to initiate eviction proceedings against their office.

Bangladesh JSD has operated its central headquarters from Rooms 514 and 516 on the fifth floor of the Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad building for nearly eight years. The notice, delivered on Monday, requests the party to settle outstanding rent amounting to 150,000 BDT for seven months, alongside 1,530 BDT in utility service charges, and clear the premises within two months.

Mushtaq Hossain, a member of Bangladesh JSD’s Standing Committee, drew a direct line between the two events. He asserted that police officers had effectively taken position inside and around their central headquarters on 15 August to prevent their scheduled gathering. He argued that the subsequent eviction notice demonstrates a coordinated attempt by the government to suppress their political operations by coercing the building management.

Conversely, Mohammad Monirul, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad, offered a different account. The formal notice signed by Monirul states that recent political activities conducted by Bangladesh JSD have disrupted the routine operations of the council, creating administrative hurdles for the welfare institution.

The eviction letter also noted that verbal concerns were raised by the office of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner regarding safety risks associated with ongoing political gatherings in the building. Monirul emphasized that the council primarily serves children with disabilities, providing specialised care and medical services financed partly through rental income. He added that non-payment of rent directly impedes these charitable services. Furthermore, similar safety guidelines regarding a secure environment for children were communicated to the office of Nagorik Oikya, led by Mahmudur Rahman Manna, which operates out of the same building.

Law enforcement officials have firmly denied any involvement or pressure tactics. Sheikh Jahidul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of the DMP’s Ramna Division, refuted claims that police directed the landlord or council authorities to issue an eviction notice. While acknowledging awareness of the correspondence, he maintained that the matter remains entirely an internal administrative decision between the building management and its tenants.