Mongla, Sept 19 (V7N) – A cycling rally was held in Mongla on Friday morning to call for rights, employment, justice, and a life free from genocide, destruction, conflict, and dependence on fossil fuels. The rally, organized at Mithakhali Bazar on the outskirts of the town, highlighted demands for sustainable livelihoods, renewable energy, and protection of vulnerable communities.

The event was organized by Dhritri Rokkhae Amra (DHORA), a grassroots platform advocating environmental and social justice. The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Mongla-based leader Jane Alam Babu. Central DHORA leader and coordinator of Shundarban Rokkhay Amra (We Protect Sundarbans), environmental activist Md. Nur Alam Sheikh, joined virtually as the chief guest.

In his keynote address, Sheikh urged for “a just transition aligned with nature and local communities to transform the global system.” He emphasized the urgent need to end the use of fossil fuels and build an effective renewable energy system for both humanity and the planet. “Wars, fossil fuel dependency, and harmful development projects must stop. For future security, the world must finance climate action, ensure sustainable livelihoods, protect the traditional rights of indigenous peoples, and restore natural ecosystems,” he said.

In his presidential remarks, Jane Alam Babu called for an end to all forms of war and genocide, stressing that global militarization must cease to establish peace based on justice.

Other speakers included Shah Alam Sheikh, president of Arafat Rahman Koko Krira Sangshad Mongla; sports organizer Khanzahan Ali; environmental activist Hasib Sardar; and DHORA leaders Idris Iman, Nazmul Haque, Maharuf Billah, student leader Sheikh Sifatullah Shuvo, Dollar Molla, and Arafat Amin Durjoy.

Organizers noted that the rally was part of a series of global climate justice activities taking place ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September, and in the lead-up to COP-30, scheduled to be held in Brazil. The event underscored growing calls from civil society groups for world leaders to take decisive action against war, fossil fuel reliance, and environmental destruction.

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