BNP called the hartal to press for a number of demands, including withdrawal of cases against party chief Khaleda Zia and others leaders filed in connection with the recent clash in Munshiganj over building an airport on Arial Beel and probe into the stock market crash to bring to justice the market manipulators.

During the Hortal hour BNP leaders and activists faced obstruction by the law enforcers in enforcing the day-long shutdown in capital Dhaka and much across the country on Monday.
Vandalism and chase and counter-chase marked the countrywide dawn-to-dusk shutdown on Monday, leading to the arrest of at least 53 people. Over 50 people were reported injured in clashes across the country.