Protests rock Bangladesh

People of different social strata as well as teachers and students from educational institutions staged demonstrations in capital Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh on Monday against the Israeli brutality on unarmed and helpless Palestinians in the city of Gaza.

The demonstrators demanded an immediate end to Israeli atrocities in Gaza and called for boycotting Israeli products and trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for committing pogrom in Gaza.

They also called upon the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to stand by the Palestinian people.

While visiting different areas of the city, the FE correspondent found the city getting rocked in protests under 'No Work No Class' campaign.

Across the city and other parts of the country, citizens rallied against the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza, Palestine.

The demonstrators brought out processions and formed human chains. The protests were observed peacefully, with participants holding banners and chanting anti-Israel slogans.

Private TV channels and online news portals reported that protesters vandalised a KFC outlet and showrooms of Domino's Pizza and Bata in Sylhet city.

A mammoth protest procession was brought out at the Science Lab intersection under the banner of 'The World Stops for Gaza.' Organised by various groups and students, the programme began at around 11:00am. Protesters carried placards and banners, chanting slogans such as 'Free Palestine' and 'Stop Killing in Gaza.'

At BRAC University in Badda, students staged a robust protest against Israeli aggression in Gaza.

Carrying placards with messages condemning the violence, they called for an immediate halt to killings and demanded accountability from the nations supporting Israel.

One student, Adnan Hasan, criticised global inaction: "Children are dying every day in Gaza, while organisations like UNICEF merely count the numbers without taking meaningful action. This silence means complicity in the massacre."

The students also urged the Muslim-majority countries to unite against the atrocities and appealed to the Bangladesh government to take a stronger stance in support of Palestine.

Students of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) formed a human chain in front of the Central Shaheed Minar on the campus at 11:30 am.

They emphasised the legitimacy of the Palestinian struggle for an independent state and full rights to Jerusalem.

Chants echoed through the gathering: "From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free!", "Shame, shame Zionists, make free Palestine!", "Inquilab Inquilab, Al-Aqsa Zindabad!"

Several BUET faculty members joined the students in solidarity, making it a moment of collective resistance.

The north gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque became a hub of pro-Palestinian activism after Zuhr prayers on Monday.

Hundreds of worshippers gathered, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as: "Israel's black hand, break it, break it!", "Palestine Zindabad, Palestine Zindabad!"

Organised by the "National Ulama Mashayekh Aimmah Parishad, a pre-march rally featured speeches from top religious leaders and national figures. Many attendees arrived carrying Palestinian flags, underscoring their unwavering support for the cause.

In protest against the brutal Israeli attacks on Gaza, and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, several demonstrations took place near the US embassy in the capital.

The protesters expressed their anger against Israel's devastating attacks on Gaza.

The protesters chanted slogans such as "Free, free Palestine," "Slap Trump on both cheeks in rhythm," and "Who are we? Who are you? Palestine, Palestine."

Earlier, around 11:30am, a group of young people staged a protest in Gulshan area near the US embassy.

They positioned themselves on the road in front of the embassy, causing a halt to traffic.

In protest against the indiscriminate attacks by Israeli forces on Gaza, students staged demonstrations and held rallies across various parts of the country, including Dhaka.

Academic activities, including classes and examinations, were kept suspended at numerous educational institutions.

At around 11:30 am, students from various departments of the University of Dhaka, along with students from different schools and colleges, gathered for a protest rally in front of the Raju Sculpture and Aparajeyo Bangla.

During the demonstration, several placards were seen bearing messages such as 'Boycott Trump, Save Palestine' and 'Boycott USA'.

At the same time, students of Begum Badrunnesa Government Women's College held a protest rally at the University of Dhaka. They held placards bearing the message 'Show Israel the Red Card'.

In Bashundhara Residential Area, students from private universities including North South University (NSU), Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), American International University, Bangladesh (AIUB) and United International University (UIU) brought out a protest procession at around 11:30 am.

The procession began from Gate 8 of North South University and after marching through the Bashundhara Residential Area, it terminated at the same point.

Hasibul Hossain, a second-year student of NSU, stated, "We are demanding an end to the genocide in Palestine and the establishment of a free Palestine. At the same time, we call upon the government of Bangladesh to take the necessary diplomatic steps to help achieve a sovereign Palestinian state and to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza."

Azmain Nafis, a student of Independent University, Bangladesh, who also participated in the protest said, "We have gathered here today to demand an end to the genocide in Palestine. The Israeli forces are indiscriminately killing civilians in Gaza, including women and children. We strongly oppose this and demand its immediate end. Additionally, we are calling for a complete ban on all Israeli products in Bangladesh."

Besides, the law enforcement agencies significantly bolstered security measures in the city to ensure smooth flow of traffic, safeguard residents, and prevent any untoward incidents during the protests.

Since morning, police and army personnel remained deployed at the key intersections and in the sensitive areas across the capital.

Muhammad Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told the FE, "Normal police activities are continuing in Dhaka. Additional forces have been deployed in certain areas, including plainclothes officers for monitoring. So far, no chaotic situations have been reported, and all programmes are being conducted peacefully."

"The protest at the US Embassy area is peaceful, with only a few participants remaining. However, we have strengthened security to prevent any potential disruptions," Md Tarek Mahmud, deputy commissioner of DMP's Gulshan Division, confirmed.

Israeli forces have killed more than 50,600 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023, most of them women and children.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Bangladesh has issued an alert for its citizens living here asking them to avoid demonstrations, monitor local news for real-time updates, and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings as school and university students staged demonstrations across the country, including the capital Dhaka, in protest against the Israeli attack in Gaza.

JU correspondent reports: In solidarity with the people of Gaza, students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) joined the global strike observed on Monday by suspending academic activities.

The university also expressed institutional support, observing a half-day office closure from 10am to 12 pm, and declaring all classes and examinations suspended for April 8.

As part of the protest, students gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar at 4pm from where they brought out a protest march.

During the march, students chanted a series of slogans including: "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," "Hamas fighters, take salam, take salam,", "Long live the intifada," and "Long live the revolution".

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com

sojib.mhs@gmal.com