The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) faced a series of challenges as it attempted to hold a rally in Aminbazar, Savar, demanding the resignation of the government and fair elections under a non-partisan administration.
The rally, scheduled to take place on Monday, was postponed due to a dispute surrounding the dismantling of the party's stage by the police.
Twenty-two lives were lost in the past year as part of the BNP movement, according to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Additionally, over 700 activists have gone missing, and more than 500,000 activists have been detained in the past year.
The controversy surrounding the rally emerged when the stage, constructed by BNP organizers at Aminbazar, was reportedly demolished by police officers, led by the officer-in-charge of Savar police station, at around 1:30am on the night prior to the rally. Dhaka District BNP General Secretary Nipun Roy Chowdhury alleged that the police had requested an alternative location for the rally, but the stage was dismantled before any discussion could take place.
In response to these allegations, the Savar Police Station denied any wrongdoing and maintained that they had not engaged in vandalism.
Khandaker Abu Ashfaq, the Dhaka district BNP president, expressed the party's commitment to reschedule the rally for September 28, providing several potential locations within Aminbazar. He emphasized that the rally date had been finalized four days in advance, with verbal police permission obtained.
Meanwhile, another rally organized by Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP took place as scheduled at Dholaikhal in Old Dhaka. This event was aimed at voicing demands for the government's resignation, the establishment of a non-partisan government, and the release of political leaders and activists, including Khaleda Zia.
Leaders and activists began gathering at the Dholaikhal rally site as early as 12 noon, adorning the area with banners and festoons. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addressed the gathering as the chief guest.
In his speech, Mirza Fakhrul accused the present government of systematically undermining the country's political landscape by repealing the Caretaker Government Act and suppressing political dissent.
He said the BNP has been conducting meetings across the country for the past year, resulting in the loss of 22 BNP leaders and workers' lives, while more than 700 activists have gone missing.
Regarding the upcoming elections, he expressed concern over alleged irregularities in previous elections and called for participatory, free, and fair elections.
Mirza Fakhrul also issued a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding that doctors immediately facilitate BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's overseas medical treatment due to her deteriorating physical condition.
Other notable speakers at the Dholaikhal rally included BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP member Ishraque Hossain, Salahuddin Tuku, and Metropolitan South BNP convener Abdus Salam.
