There was not much speculation ahead of the BNP-led alliance’s “black-flag procession” yesterday to protest Israeli atrocities in Gaza, even though it was the alliance’s first major political programme since the January 5 elections.
Interestingly, contrary to the common perception that the BNP was not organised enough to mount a strong popular movement at this time, the gathering was quite impressive.
Even more interesting was that despite the party’s previous threats to wage strong street protests, the leaders at yesterday’s gathering of thousands of activists did not utter a single word that could be termed anti-government.
Festoons and placards carrying anti-government messages – something that traditionally characterises any opposition gathering in Bangladesh – were not seen either. Leaders did not just refrain from chanting anti-governmental slogans, they urged activists not to do so as well.
Yesterday’s procession was seen as the first test for the newly formed convening committee of the Dhaka city unit of the BNP, which was largely blamed for the failure of the January 5 election resistance movement.
It would seem the new city unit has come out with flying colours by staging a peaceful gathering in the capital amid tight security.
Despite the steady drizzle, party leaders and activists, with black flags in their hands, congregated in front of the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters to join the programme.
The procession set forth from the party office around 3:50pm and ended at Malibagh intersection around 5pm, causing huge traffic jams in Malibagh, Mouchak, Santinagar, Nayapaltan, Kakrail, Fakirerpool and adjacent areas of the city. Before the procession began, the party’s acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said a strong message was being sent across the world that Bangladeshis stood in solidarity with Palestinians.
Fakhrul, the chief guest of the programme, said he hoped the Palestinian cause would be successful.
Dhaka city unit BNP convener Mirza Abbas chaired the programme and said: “This procession is not against the government. We are protesting against the bloodshed in Gaza. So no anti-government slogan will be chanted.”
Abbas asked party leaders and activists not to chant any anti-governmental slogans, asking them to instead march silently and peacefully.
He asked party colleagues not to get involved in altercations with law enforcers. The procession was peaceful, as participants chanted slogans protesting the attack on the Palestinian people by Israeli forces.
Strong security measures were taken and the police took up positions at different points to maintain law and order.
Police seemed cautious and reports said no one was barred from joining the procession. The BNP was also cautious, making an effort to avoid any incidents.
A large number of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists participated in the programme.
Jamaat leader Selim Uddin asked the party’s student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, not to quarrel with anyone.
“Here, no one is our enemy. So do not quarrel with anyone. Take your positions as you have been directed,” he said to his party men.
On many previous occasions, Shibir and Chhatra Dal men clashed over taking the seats in the front row. In most cases, Shibir men took positions in the front row.
BNP standing committee members Tariqul Islam, MK Anwar, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Rafiqul Islam Miah, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel and senior leaders of the BNP-led 20-party alliance participated in the procession.
