Ordinary traders have been harmed by autocracy and nepotism. A sit-in program was held in front of the chamber building in Agrabad on Sunday (August 25) at 11 a.m. on Sunday (August 25) on the initiative of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries, demanding new elections by canceling the patriarchy, autocracy and non-voting current board of directors.

The business leaders of Chittagong demanded to break the patriarchy and bring new leadership in the centenary business organization Chittagong Chamber. At that time, they demanded the formation of a committee through fair elections in the chamber. Chittagong Chamber did not vote in the last five elections.

Chattogram Deprived Business Forum convener SM Saiful Alam presided over and member secretary Shahidul Islam Chowdhury led the talks by the leaders of various business organizations. Officials of 36 business organizations of Chittagong joined the sit-in program organized in front of the World Trade Center in Agrabad of the city.

Convener of the organization SM Saiful Alam said that Chittagong Chamber is not a family organization. But past committees have made it a family organization. Sons and daughters-in-law have been given opportunities in business organizations without giving opportunities to businessmen. Real businessmen didn’t stand a chance. The traditional Chittagong Chamber of Commerce has been under the dictatorship for 17 years. Ordinary traders have been harmed by autocracy and nepotism. We want a new committee to be formed to ensure the role of business friendly Chittagong Chamber.

Demanding reform of the chamber, he said that the Chittagong Chamber could not contribute to the country’s economy due to family system. Therefore, the current chamber board of directors, elected without a vote, must resign. The chamber needs to be reformed. The Chittagong Chamber could not speak up for businessmen in the grip of patriarchy. No one outside their circle had a chance to be elected as a director of the chamber. So resign now to have respect. If not, we will announce the program of a larger movement.

BGAPMEA director Shahidul Islam Chowdhury said that two former presidents MA Latif and Mahbubul Alam have turned the Chittagong Chamber into a subordinate and family institution of autocracy for 17 years. As a result, the traders have been deprived of their fair rights. Therefore, the Chittagong Chamber should be freed from the grip of the two former presidents and turned into a representative chamber of ordinary businessmen.

Jamal Uddin Bablu, executive member of C&F Association, said many Chamber employees have been deprived of their jobs due to nepotism. Many have been sacked from the chamber without reason with the BNP Jamaat tag. They should immediately return their jobs.

Ismail Khan, managing director of Falguni Traders, said that those who are traders in Chittagong will be the members of the chamber and will elect the leadership. Membership should be simplified. Certain individuals have been ruling the Chittagong Chamber for a long time. He called for immediate resignation of board leaders including Omar Hajjaz.

Humayun Kabir Sohail, Acting General Secretary of Port Truck Cover Van Owners Association, said, “Today we are oppressed and neglected businessmen who have come together in this peaceful gathering. Chittagong Chamber could not speak for ordinary businessmen due to family system.” Traders have been deprived of their rights for a long time. If businessmen cannot do business properly, it will be difficult for them to contribute to the country’s economy.

C&F businessman Shaukat Ali said that by verifying the current member list of the chamber, eliminating the pocket vote bank of certain individuals and creating a proper voter list, selecting efficient leadership and ensuring free and fair elections in a democratic manner.

Journalist Jahidul Karim Kochi, convener of Sammilita Peshajivi Parishad, President of Metropolitan Journalist Union spoke at the program. Shahnawaz, BGMEA Director Abshar Hossain, Member Saiful Islam, SM Haque, C&F Association Executive Member Jamal Uddin Bablu, Sultana Traders Rokon Uddin Mahmud, C&F Trader Shaukat Ali, Berth Operator Moshiul Alam Swapan, Falguni Traders Managing Director Ismail Khan, BRICS Association’s Jahangir Alam, Port Truck Cover Van Owners and Contractors Association Acting General Secretary Humayun Kabir Sohel, Riazuddin Bazar Bankers Association President Alhaj Chalmat Ali, Eshak Brothers Container Depot MD. Jewel, Cover Van Owners Association President Azizul Haque, Barvida Member Jasim Uddin Feroz, Jahangir Alam, BGAPMEA Director Belal Hossain, General Secretary of Tire Tube Owners Association Md. Shahjahan, President of the Recondition Motor Parts Association, Mannan Patwari, Member of the Fredes Association, Abdul Wazed Sohail, Director of the Garments Acosuris Manufacturing Association, Md. Editor Uddin Mahmud. Business leaders Badsha Mia, Fatema Badsha, Yunus Chowdhury Hakim, Haji Abu Fayez, SM Faridul Alam, Moniruzzaman Titu, Nuruddin Sohail, AK Fazlul Haque Chowdhury, Tajul Islam, Morshedul Alam Chaudhu were present.