Eid-ul-Azha, a time meant for family, sacrifice, and togetherness, was once again overshadowed by a grim, recurring tragedy: preventable deaths on the country’s roads. Among this year’s heartbreaking stories, one stands out. A teenage boy, journeying from a rural village to Dhaka with his father to sell their sacrificial cow, was struck by unimaginable loss when a road accident claimed his father’s life. Left alone in grief, the boy buried his father and, with no other choice, carried on to complete their journey. His ordeal reflects a broader, disturbing reality — where grief is postponed for survival, and systemic neglect of road safety turns festivals of joy into periods of mourning.
This is not an isolated incident, but a reflection of a deeper national crisis. Road fatalities continue to surge, exposing a dangerous imbalance where economic necessity routinely outweighs the right to life and safety.
According to the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity’s Road Accident Monitoring Cell, 379 road accidents occurred during this Eid-ul-Azha alone, resulting in 390 deaths and 1,182 injuries — a sharp rise from 2024, which saw 309 accidents, 336 fatalities, and 762 injuries. This represents a 22.65% increase in accidents, a 16.07% rise in deaths, and a staggering 55.11% jump in injuries. Motorcyclists remain the most at risk, involved in 35.35% of all incidents.
A pattern of negligence has emerged over the years. In 2023, 312 accidents during Eid-ul-Azha claimed 340 lives and injured 569 people. The recent Eid-ul-Fitr was no different, with 315 accidents, 322 deaths, and 826 injuries. Fatalities were not limited to the roads — rail and waterway mishaps also claimed lives, bringing the total transport-related casualties this Eid-ul-Fitr to 340 accidents, 352 deaths, and 835 injuries.
This annual cycle of tragedy signals a profound national failure. Without urgent, comprehensive action on road safety and transport regulation, festivals that should symbolize unity and faith will continue to be marred by loss and suffering.
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