The interim government has announced its decision to appeal the High Court’s recent ruling that imposes a ban on battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka, following widespread protests and clashes between rickshaw drivers and law enforcement agencies.

The announcement was made by Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, deputy press secretary to the chief advisor, during a regular briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Sunday evening.

"The government has decided to challenge the High Court's order in the Supreme Court. We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will deliver a favorable verdict on this issue," Majumder stated.

However, he did not specify when the appeal would be filed.

Since the High Court's order on Tuesday, which gave three days for the removal of these rickshaws from Dhaka city, protests and blockades have erupted across the capital.

Rickshaw drivers have been on strike, resulting in violent clashes with the law-enforcing agencies.

The protests, which have now continued for five days, have led to significant disruptions in the city.

Despite having no legal status, battery-powered rickshaws have long been a common sight in the narrow lanes of Dhaka and other cities.

After the anti-government movement, these rickshaws began operating on major roads as well.

However, the growing presence of battery-powered rickshaws on the city's streets has led to increased congestion and disruptions to daily life.

The court’s ruling followed a petition filed by the Pedal Rickshaw Owners' Association, prompting a bench led by Justice Fatema Nazeeb and Justice Mahmudur Razzaque to issue the order.

In response to the decision, rickshaw drivers blocked the Doyaganj intersection the following day, demanding the continuation of battery-powered rickshaws.

Although these rickshaws are widely used in both rural and urban areas, their growing numbers in Dhaka have exacerbated problems such as traffic congestion.

In April 2022, the Appellate Division ruled that battery-powered rickshaws would be banned from highways, though they could still operate on other roads.

Earlier this year, during the Awami League government's tenure, a similar attempt to ban battery-powered rickshaws was introduced but was abandoned due to pushback from drivers.

Now, under the interim government, a similar initiative has sparked ongoing protests.

A senior government official remarked, “We will seek a stay order against the court’s ruling to resolve the matter. If unsuccessful, we will have to comply with the court’s order.”

He added, “However, it’s clear that there are more rickshaws in the capital than necessary.”

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