Staff Reporter :
In protest against what it described as barbaric attacks and genocide by Israeli forces in Gaza and Rafah, and in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people, the Dhaka North and South units of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organized a rally in the capital yesterday.
The programme commenced with a brief gathering in front of the party’s central office at Nayapaltan at 4 p.m. on Thursday.
Speaking at the rally, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “Genocide in Palestine began long ago with the direct and indirect support of several global superpowers.
Today, Palestinians are exiled in their own homeland. Yet, the leaders of the Muslim world remain silent—they are neither speaking out nor taking a stand.”
He added that while global protests are taking place demanding an end to the genocide in Gaza, no effective initiative has yet been seen.
“On behalf of the BNP, we protest this brutality and strongly demand an end to the massacre,” he declared.
Salahuddin further alleged that Awami League has indirectly recognized Israel and has purchased surveillance equipment from the country to use against the opposition.
Another BNP Standing Committee member, Nazrul Islam Khan, said, “On Independence Day, Ziaur Rahman had invited Yasser Arafat, and since then, the BNP has stood in support of the Palestinian people’s struggle.
Today, Gaza resembles a besieged cage where women and children are subjected to brutalities. There is an urgent need for an international initiative to resist the Israeli forces.”
Nazrul Islam Khan also warned against any acts of vandalism or looting by those participating in the solidarity program. “Anyone who creates chaos is effectively working in support of Israel. They must be resisted—but not with violence.
They should be handed over to the police,” he said.
BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy remarked, “Palestinians have been victims of brutal killings for generations. No man or woman has been spared. These are clear crimes against humanity.
Ordinary people across the country, regardless of political affiliation, stand with Palestine, but the intellectual community has remained notably silent. Even the United Nations has become a mute spectator.”
Another Standing Committee member, Mirza Abbas, said, “This protest march is unusually large compared to other gatherings. Alongside BNP supporters, devout Muslims have also joined. I came from far away, but sadly, we are unable to do anything significant to help.”
He added that the situation in Palestine is not just about their destruction but part of a conspiracy to annihilate the global Muslim population. “Had the Muslim world united effectively, the Zionists would never have dared to go this far,” Abbas asserted.
He also noted the unbearable nature of images emerging from Palestine on social media. “Just as Ziaur Rahman had played a role during the Iran-Iraq war, had he been alive today, he would have taken strong action in support of Palestine, and Israel would not have dared to carry out such atrocities,” he said.
The pre-rally gathering was presided over by Rafiqul Alam Majnu, convener of Dhaka South BNP, and moderated by BNP’s publicity secretary, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku. Other speakers included Standing Committee member Selima Rahman and Dhaka North BNP convener Aminul Haque.
Among those present were BNP Vice Chairman Abdus Salam Pintu, Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, and Health Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam, among others.
Although the program was scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., BNP activists and supporters began to gather in Nayapaltan from around 2:30 p.m., carrying placards, Palestinian flags, and black banners. The area echoed with protest slogans.
The rally route was planned to start at Nayapaltan and pass through Shantinagar, Mouchak, and Moghbazar, ending at Banglamotor. The rally began around 4:45 p.m. and witnessed heavy public participation along the entire route. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Boycott Israeli products, Muslims of the world unite and fight,” and “Why attacks on Palestine? UN, we demand answers.”
