A sudden and violent swing in the prices of daily essentials-most notably LPG cooking gas, medicines, and food items-has triggered widespread public outrage across the country, including Dhaka. Within days, the price of an LPG cylinder skyrocketed from Tk 1,300 to as much as Tk 2,500, delivering a crushing blow to household budgets.
Lower- and middle-income families have been hit the hardest. Years of gas shortages in the residential sector had already strained daily life, but the record-breaking LPG price hike has pushed public frustration to the boiling point.
Consumers are now openly questioning the role of Titas Gas and other authorities, asking why prices are surging despite claims of a "normal" supply situation. Allegations of syndicates and artificially engineered shortages are growing louder, with citizens demanding to know who is profiteering-and who is failing to act.
The crisis extends beyond gas. Prices of almost all essential commodities-including rice, pulses, vegetables, meat, and fruits-have risen beyond the purchasing capacity of the average citizen. Market monitoring has become largely ineffective, allowing unscrupulous traders to increase prices arbitrarily. Consumers allege a lack of coordination among government agencies responsible for market regulation, resulting in ineffective control.
According to mass people, certain trading groups are deliberately manipulating the market to create artificial shortages. Meanwhile, political parties have failed to present any visible programmes aimed at easing public suffering.
From social media platforms to tea stalls, a single concern dominates discussions: if the situation continues, people may be forced to take to the streets to protect their livelihoods. Citizens are calling for immediate and strict action to secure their rights.
Public demands include intensified market monitoring, regular inspections through mobile courts, strict punishment for dishonest traders, restoring LPG prices to an affordable level, ensuring gas supply through pipelines, and identifying and prosecuting those responsible for market manipulation.
In this fragile economic situation, ordinary people are struggling to survive. Only swift and decisive intervention by the government and relevant authorities can prevent the situation from worsening. Otherwise, growing public resentment may lead to serious instability.
