Traffic in Dhaka came to a standstill this afternoon after a joint rally by eight like-minded parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, commenced at Purana Paltan area.

Activists began gathering at the venue from 1:00pm, blocking key intersections in the vicinity and causing a complete shutdown of traffic between the Kadam Foara and Dainik Bangla intersections.

Police set up barricades at both ends, while Jamaat activists were seen helping direct traffic alongside traffic police.

The road closure led to heavy gridlocks on adjacent routes, while metro rail stations in the area witnessed unusually large crowds.

Traffic Sergeant Minjis Alam Jibon, on duty at Kadam Foara, said that police had placed barricades before 1:00pm.

"This stretch from Kadam Foara to Dainik Bangla is one of Dhaka's busiest roads. It already has heavy traffic, and today's closure has worsened congestion, stretching up to Matsha Bhaban and even Shahbagh," he said.

Many commuters faced long delays.

Sifat Habib, a passenger travelling from Farmgate to Kadam Foara, said, "I didn't expect so much traffic. It took more than an hour to reach here from Shahbagh—it usually takes 15 to 20 minutes."

He added that he was heading to Baitul Mukarram Market but would now have to walk the rest of the way due to the closure.

Vehicles heading towards Dainik Bangla from Kadam Foara were diverted through Abdul Gani Road and Gulistan, resulting in heavy congestion on those alternative routes as well.