BNP leader Ishraque Hossain has called on protesters not to vacate the streets, urging them instead to escalate their movement following the dismissal of his writ petition by the High Court.

In a Facebook post made shortly after the verdict on Thursday, Ishraque addressed his supporters, saying: “We must not be deceived by these hollow tactics. The fight continues until the resignation of the two student representative advisers is confirmed. Do not leave the streets — we need to expand our protest further.”

The call came in the wake of a High Court ruling on Thursday (May 22) dismissing a writ petition challenging the validity of a government gazette that declared Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

The court also rejected a plea that sought to block his oath-taking ceremony, clearing the final legal hurdle for the BNP politician to formally assume office.

A bench comprising Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury delivered the verdict, ruling that the Election Commission's gazette notification stands valid. 

“There is now no legal bar to Ishraque Hossain taking the oath,” his lawyer told reporters following the ruling.
Ishraque’s public call for intensified street demonstrations reflects ongoing tensions within student and opposition groups, as protests over the role of student representatives continue to simmer in the capital.

SMS/