BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday urged the interim government to take effective steps to meet the people's expectations and foil any plots by malevolent forces, as the party held a massive rally to mark November 7.
Tarique Rahman, speaking virtually from London, declared that Friday's rally in Dhaka was a march “to protect the interests of Bangladesh” rather than a protest against any individual or group.
Addressing tens of thousands gathered in Naya Paltan to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day, Tarique emphasized the need to identify the country’s “enemies” in 2024, linking the spirit of unity shown on November 7, 1975, to today’s rally as a call to safeguard national sovereignty and democratic rights.
Tens of thousands of supporters and BNP associates carried banners, festoons, and placards at the rally, which was presided over by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. They chanted slogans in support of democracy and justice.
BNP leaders, supporters, and members of associated organizations gathered in Naya Paltan starting at 12 noon, wearing colorful caps and preparing for a major demonstration.
From Kakrail Mosque to Fakirarpool and nearby areas, the streets and alleys overflowed with BNP supporters, resulting in significant traffic congestion.
After a brief speech, the party’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, officially launched the rally around 3:32pm. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also addressed the crowd during the event.
The rally was set to move toward Manik Mia Avenue, passing through Kakrail intersection, Kakrail Mosque, Matsya Bhaban, the Engineering Institute, Shahbagh, Hotel Intercontinental, Bangla Motor, Karwan Bazar, and Farmgate.
BNP activists waved banners, festoons, placards, and images of the party’s leaders, voicing election demands and calling for the dismissal of charges against senior leaders, including Tarique Rahman.
Tarique Rahman reiterated his belief in the power of unity among pro-Bangladesh forces and said: “As long as the forces in support of Bangladesh remain united, no one can threaten the country’s independence.”
He described the rally as a “procession to instil the inherent teachings of November 7 into the forces supporting Bangladesh.”
He also addressed the country’s democratic aspirations, stressing the importance of electing public representatives through every citizen's vote to prevent the return of fascism.
“Until individuals aspiring to be representatives—from local to central government—are reliant on public votes, the people will not experience the benefits of democracy,” he said.
He noted that market syndicates threaten the welfare of lower-income groups, a problem he believes direct voting rights can address.
Cautioning the people, he added: “The conspiracies of anti-democratic forces are still active, with allies of the fugitive autocrat working domestically and internationally to thwart the interim government’s efforts. This interim government must not be allowed to fail.”
BNP leaders Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and others were present on the stage.
After Rahman’s speech, Mirza Fakhrul and other leaders saluted him, and the rally commenced. It proceeded through the capital’s major routes before its scheduled conclusion near the South Gate of the National Parliament.
BNP observed ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Thursday, commemorating the ‘civil-military uprising’ of November 7, 1975.
On November 7, 1975, amid political unrest, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then-Chief of Army Staff Ziaur Rahman from confinement in Dhaka Cantonment, paving the way for his ascent to power.
