Students from universities, schools, madrasas, and a wide range of professional and civil society organizations across Bangladesh shut down normal life on Monday in a sweeping show of solidarity with Palestine.
From early morning, campuses emptied as classes and exams were suspended in support of the global “World Stops for Gaza” campaign—a bold response to Israel’s ongoing assault on the besieged strip.
What began as an online mobilization soon transformed into a nationwide academic and professional walkout. From the corridors of Dhaka University to the campus of Rangamati Science and Technology University, outrage carried students and faculty into the streets with placards, chants, and moral clarity.
Demonstrations on campuses
Following an earlier notice, schools and universities halted all academic activities. Protesters at Dhaka University and other institutions carried Palestinian flags and placards reading “Stop genocide on Gaza,” “Forgive me Palestine,” and “Boycott Israeli Products.”
The Raju Memorial Sculpture became a central meeting point as students from across Dhaka gathered around 11am. Later, students and teachers from madrasas joined, and DU students carrying a “March for Palestine” banner added to the momentum.
Additionally, students from various faculties rejected classes and exams in support of the “No Work, No School” campaign, while the BNP-affiliated teacher organization Sada Dal issued a press release condemning the attacks.
Baitul Mukarram
At the National Mosque and surrounding areas, large gatherings emerged early in the morning. Protesters waved Bangladeshi, Palestinian, and White Shahada flags, chanting slogans such as “One, two, three, four – Israel is no more.”
Some demonstrators carried symbolic coffins to honor the lost lives.
Islamic preacher Abu Taha Muhammad Adnan stressed the necessity of understanding jurisprudence in the current context, calling for a response against Israeli barbarity, criticizing Western support for Israel, and urging a boycott of Israeli products.
He also called for establishing Bangladesh as a fully Islamic state to oppose global oppression.
What political leaders are saying?
BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee condemned Israel’s actions, affirming solidarity with “The World Stops for Gaza” and rescheduling a concert originally planned for April 11.
Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh also protested. Dr Rezaul Karim decried Israel’s relentless airstrikes that have turned Gaza into ruins, calling it an illegal and terrorist state.
Fazlay Bari Masud of Islami Andolan Bangladesh highlighted the mass killings of Palestinians, urging the international community to take a firm stand.
The National Citizen Party staged a protest march near the National Museum in Shahbagh, linking the struggle in Palestine to historical liberation movements in Bangladesh.
Savar
In Savar, students from various institutions in Dhamrai staged a protest against Israel's renewed aggression in Gaza, joined by local residents.
Gathering near the Dhaka-Aricha highway, they marched through key areas, condemned civilian casualties, and decried the silence of both global and Muslim communities. Jahangirnagar University joined the movement by suspending office work and classes.
Jessore
In Jessore, thousands gathered at Dhatatna Bhairab Shaheed Square around 11am to protest Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Students from local institutions such as Jessore University of Science and Technology and Government MM College marched through the city, while speakers like writer Benzin Khan and Rashed Khan denounced what they called genocide against Palestinians.
Narsingdi
In Narsingdi, around 10,000 people participated in a mass protest between 10am and 1pm.
Protesters gathered at Education Square and marched through the city, blocking the highway at one point while chanting for justice and an end to Israeli attacks before dispersing around 12:30pm.
Mymensingh
In Mymensingh, a large rally took place at the Town Hall intersection. Protesters held placards denouncing Israel’s brutality and raised their voices against the ongoing violence in Gaza.
Rajbari
In Rajbari, hundreds of students and citizens assembled at the Goalanda Bus Stand at 10am for a human chain and protest march. The demonstration then moved along the highway to the Upazila Court ground, where a prayer was held for the victims of the attacks.
Protesters called for a united global Muslim response to end the genocide in Gaza and Rafah, vowing that Muslims worldwide would rise in solidarity if any Muslim were harmed.
Tangail
In Tangail, a protest march and rally in support of Palestine began at 11:30am from the Tangail Press Club. The procession moved through the city’s main streets and ended at the Shaheed Minar, with speakers emphasizing the urgent need to rescue Palestinian Muslims and end Israeli oppression.
Rajshahi
In Rajshahi, students and locals held a protest condemning Israel’s brutal attacks on Palestinians and expressing solidarity with Gaza.
Participants from Rajshahi University, Varendra University, Ruet, Rajshahi College, and others chanted slogans, offered prayers, and demanded an end to the violence while criticizing the silence of the US and Muslim-majority nations, urging global unity against the ongoing aggression.
Our correspondents Ariful Islam Sabbir, Ashibul Islam Rifat, Abdullah Al Numan, Dulal Abdullah and Nazmul Huda Nasim contributed to this report
