People paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement at the Shaheed Minar in Altab Ali Park, East London, in the early hours of Friday, as various political and social organizations gathered to honour the occasion.
Activists from the BNP gathered at the Shaheed Minar, alongside other social and political organizations to pay their respects.
Despite ongoing tensions between the UK BNP and the UK Awami League, a significant police and security presence ensured that no major untoward incidents occurred.
Abida Islam, the high commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK, along with leaders from the UK BNP and UK Awami League, laid wreaths in tribute.
Among them was Awami League leader and former Sylhet mayor Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, who faced chants of “Bhua, bhua” from BNP activists during his visit.
Later, when he attempted to address the media, security personnel intervened and prevented him from speaking.
Meanwhile, UK BNP leaders had previously held a meeting at Tower Hamlets Council in an attempt to exclude Awami League activists from the Shaheed Minar committee.
The council and police had implemented coordinated security measures in the days leading up to the event.