Traffic in the capital came to a standstill on Tuesday after eight like-minded parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, organised a joint rally in the Purana Paltan area.
Crowds began pouring into the area around 1:00pm, spilling over onto nearby roads and effectively paralysing movement between the Kadam Foara and Dainik Bangla intersections.
Police quickly set up barricades at both ends of the stretch, while Jamaat activists assisted traffic police in redirecting vehicles.
The blockade triggered a chain reaction across the city's core part, with tailbacks spreading through adjacent routes.
Commuters reported gridlocks stretching as far as Matsya Bhaban and Shahbagh, while nearby metro rail stations were overwhelmed with passengers.
Sumon, a private sector employee, said he faced immense hardship travelling from Mohammadpur to Motijheel for official work.
He was stuck in traffic near Matsya Bhaban for about 45 minutes before deciding to walk the rest of the way.
"Political parties should engage in activities that serve public interests, not cause suffering," he said.
"It is deeply frustrating to see that politics creates so many disruptions in our daily lives," he added.
Traffic Sergeant Minjis Alam Jibon, stationed at Kadam Foara, said, "The section from Kadam Foara to Dainik Bangla is among the busiest in Dhaka. Even on normal days, traffic is heavy. Today's road closure worsened the situation, pushing congestion deep into the city."
Frustration mounted among office-goers and shoppers caught in the snarl.
"I did not expect this kind of gridlock," said Jasim Uddin, who was travelling from Farmgate to Kadam Foara.
"It took me over an hour to cover a route that usually takes 15 minutes. I will have to walk to Baitul Mukarram now."
The authorities diverted vehicles heading from Kadam Foara towards Dainik Bangla through Abdul Gani Road and Gulistan, but those diversions quickly resulted in jams as well.
By late afternoon, traffic in the area remained largely halted, with thousands of people stranded amid the chaos triggered by the rally.
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