July Oikya-organised ‘Rally for Bangladesh’ begins at Shaheed Minar

The “Rally for Bangladesh”, organised by July Oikya, a platform formed by various organisations that emerged from the 2024 mass uprising, has started at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka University.

The programme, which began around 3:30pm today (7 February), would raise the call of “India Out” in protest against Indian dominance and interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, said July Oikya Organiser Israfil Faraji.

He said, “The programme is being held to protest India’s sheltering of the killers of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi and those involved in mass killings during the July Uprising of 2024, as well as India’s dominance in international forums, including the ICC [International Cricket Council].”

Faraji also alleged that India had openly interfered in the last four parliamentary elections of Bangladesh and is conspiring against Bangladesh’s sovereignty ahead of the upcoming 13th national election. This rally is called in protest of these as well, he added.

Leaders and activists of different political parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), and organisations are attending the rally.

Speaking at the rally, NCP Joint Member Secretary Joynal Abedin Shishir said, “The Yunus government had failed to carry out even minimum reforms of the police force, a failure was evident in the recent attacks on journalists and protesters.”

He warned that if the authorities attempt to stage a “managed election” like that of 2008 using the same police force, the public would uproot them. “We have all your lists,” he said, adding that those involved should think “ten times” before repeating what he described as “past wrongdoing”.

NCP Chief Coordinator and Dhaka-8 MP candidate Nasiruddin Patwary was also present at the programme.