Presided over by Bangladesh Krishak Federation President Comrade Badrul Alam, the rally was addressed by Bangladesh Krishok Federation General Secretary Zayed Iqbal Khan, Joint General Secretary Abdus Sattar Howlader, Bangladesh Kishani Sabha President Dr. Shamsunnahar Khan Doli, Bangladesh Sramik Federation General Secretary AAM Fayez Hossain, Social Justice Movement General Secretary Gazi Shoaib Kabir, Readymade Garments Workers Federation President Lovely Yasmin, Sammilito Sramik Federation General Secretary Nahid Hasan Nayan, Motherland Garments Sramik Federation General Secretary Al Amin, National Labor Federation General Secretary Maryam Akhter, Bangladesh Bhumiheen Samity Vice President Dr. Shamsul Alam, Bangladesh Bhasman Nari Sramik Union General Secretary Jahanara Begum, Bangladesh Krishok Federation Dhaka Metropolitan Unit President Shahabuddin Matubbar, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Rajshahi District Unit Convener MM Hasinur Rahman, Bangladesh Chhatra Sabha Convener Lydia Yasmin Silva, etc.

Shamsunnahar Khan Doli speaking in the rally held in front of National Press club
in Dhaka on 13 December 2024.

At the rally, Comrade Badrul Alam mentioned the relationship between land and climate change and said that climate change has affected the land system of Bangladesh. There have been changes in the environment and ecosystem of different regions of the country, which is having a negative impact on the flora and fauna. Increased salinity in the coastal areas of the southern part of the country has damaged the fertility of the land. As a result, crop production has decreased. People on the coast are facing super cyclones, heavy rains, floods, and extreme weather events every year. The process of desertification started long ago in the northern part of the country. Moreover, it has created changes in our seasonal cycle. Short rain, heavy rain, untimely rain, irregular rain, extreme cold, extreme heat, early winter, early heat have now become normal events.

Comrade Badrul Alam mentioned the rights of the landless, and said that all the private lands of the country should be settled among the landless. The working people of the city are mainly evicted from the villages for various reasons and are being engaged in manual labor in the cities. These workers do not get a living wage in the city. They are living a subhuman life. To provide a place for the workers of the city to live, Khas lands should be settled among them.

Comrade Badrul Alam, President, Bangladesh Krishok Federation speaking in the
public gathering on 13 December 2024 in front of National Press Club in Dhaka

Stressing the importance of protecting agricultural land, Badrul Alam said that special initiatives should be taken to preserve all agricultural land to achieve food sovereignty.

Comrade Alam also said that even though we are affected by the effects of climate change, we are not responsible for it. The rich countries of the world increase the global temperature by emitting carbon for industrial production by living style and enjoyment. They have a historical and environmental responsibility for the effects of global climate change. They must pay compensation to the affected countries of the South.

Other speakers at the rally said that river erosion is accelerating due to climate change. The land rights of landless and river-eroded people must be ensured. The speakers also said that farmers’ land is being taken away under various pretexts. They called for an end to this agricultural land grabbing.

The following demands were presented at the rally:

1. Khasland [fallow public land] should be settled among the landless people

2. Fake settlement of Khasland should be abolished

3. Illegal occupants of Khasland should be evicted

4. Khasland settlement and management committee should be formed and activated

5. Climate refugees should be recognized

6. Compensation should be given to those affected by the effects of climate change

7. River erosion and affected families should be rehabilitated

8. Use of 100% renewable energy should be ensured

9. Use of fossil fuels should be phased out.

Bangladesh Krishok Federation (BKF)