The Jatiya Party is facing pressure, while the BNP views the situation as unwarranted

The recent attack, vandalism, and arson at the central office of the Jatiya Party (JaPa) have stirred reactions across the political landscape. The major opposition party, BNP, described the incident as an "unnecessary act" in today’s political context, seeing it as part of a conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the country.

This event took place just three months after the interim government assumed office, heightening concerns among various groups. Some interpret it as an overreach by certain individuals, sparking debates over who stands to gain or lose. However, JaPa now faces added pressure.

Despite the incident, JaPa had initially planned to hold a rally, which was met with a counter-demonstration organized under the banner of anti-fascism students, workers, and masses. In response to rising tensions, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police restricted gatherings around the JaPa office, prompting both groups to cancel their events.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, speaking to *Prothom Alo*, remarked, “We think this is a calculated attempt to create unnecessary instability in the country.” When asked if the BNP sought to ban the political party, Fakhrul replied, “Who are we to ban a political party? The people will make that decision.”

Speaking to reporters after a memorial for late BNP leader Sabih Uddin Ahmed, Fakhrul reiterated that the situation surrounding JaPa is a deliberate effort to instigate uncertainty. He suggested that the matter is being unnecessarily elevated to further a hidden agenda.

The six-party alliance Ganatantra Mancha, an ally of BNP, also views the situation surrounding JaPa as unwarranted. Meanwhile, the Students Against Discrimination movement is politically pressuring JaPa, seeing it as an ally of the recently deposed Awami League. In line with this strategy, the interim government has limited engagement with JaPa. During recent talks between political parties and chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, JaPa, along with Awami League and parties from the 14-party alliance, were excluded, leading to frustration and standoffs between JaPa leadership and elements of the anti-discrimination student movement.

Subsequently, on Thursday evening, a group operating under the name "Students, Workers, and People Against Fascism" attacked JaPa’s central office in Kakrail, Dhaka, damaging furniture and setting fire to some items.

While the Awami League remains sidelined post-departure from power, JaPa is experiencing a resurgence of visibility. Despite being labeled an Awami League "cohort," JaPa remains active, with its chief GM Quader denouncing recent actions against the party and citing previous election challenges.

Observers noted that there was no unified decision within the Students Against Discrimination movement or the National Nagorik Committee to take strong action against JaPa; rather, individual actions appear to have been driven by personal frustration or zeal. Some critics argue the student movement's anti-fascist momentum raised national expectations, but recent hasty decisions and incidents like this have drawn scrutiny.

Nonetheless, statements from student leaders on social media suggest they expect JaPa to follow a similar trajectory as the Awami League. The chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolan and Ganatantra Mancha leader Zonayed Saki asserted that connecting the student movement to the arson incident was inappropriate, saying, "We must confront the fascists and their allies directly."

On Saturday, anti-discrimination student movement leaders Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam issued a joint statement on Facebook, implying that "JaPa will follow the same path as the Awami League." JaPa leaders interpret this as an attempt to force their exit from the political scene.