Chhatra Dal, NCP hold rallies in Dhaka city today in show of strength, public support

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and the National Citizen Party (NCP) are set to hold separate rallies in Dhaka today, where activists from across the country will gather in a massive show of their public support.

Both organisations have made extensive preparations and are aiming for large turnouts to demonstrate their political strength. Organisers expect hundreds of thousands of activists from across the country to gather in Dhaka for the rallies.

In anticipation of possible traffic disruptions, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has advised the public to avoid the Shahbagh area and recommended that HSC, equivalent, and BCS candidates keep ample time in hand to reach their exam centres. 

Both Chhatra Dal and the NCP have issued advance apologies for any public inconvenience caused by the gatherings.

Chhatra Dal will hold its rally at Shahbagh, starting at 2:30pm, while the NCP rally is scheduled for 4pm at the Central Shaheed Minar.

BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman will address the Chhatra Dal rally virtually from London. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party leaders, as well as former student leaders, are expected to attend in person.

On this date last year, coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement announced a one-point demand calling for the resignation of the Awami League government. The movement ultimately led to the fall of the AL-led government after 16 years in power through a student-led mass uprising. Today's rallies by Chhatra Dal and the NCP – a new political party formed by student leaders of that uprising – are meant to commemorate that event.

Chhatra Dal hires special train

To facilitate attendance, Chhatra Dal has hired a special 20-coach train from Chattogram, scheduled to depart at 7:15am and arrive in Dhaka by 1:15 pm. The train will return to Chattogram at 7:00 pm. Railway sources said it includes 1,126 seats and cost nearly Tk1o lakh to charter.

Earlier, Chhatra Dal initially announced its rally at Shaheed Minar, but later moved the event to Shahbagh following a request from the NCP. 

To minimise disruption, Chhatra Dal has issued guidelines to maintain order. According to the instructions, participants may not bring banners, festoons, or placards. All units must stay within their designated zones throughout the program.

Next election must be based on July Charter: NCP

Meanwhile, the NCP will use its rally to announce its "New Bangladesh Manifesto." Convener Nahid Islam has urged participants in the July uprising to gather at the Shaheed Minar at 4:00 pm. 

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Nahid Islam said the July Declaration must be enshrined in the Constitution's preamble and schedules. He expressed concern over the lack of clarity from the Consensus Commission regarding dissenting notes. "The next election must be based on the July Charter," he said.

He also thanked Chhatra Dal for relocating their event upon request and acknowledged that hosting two rallies in the same vicinity could cause inconvenience.

DMP Issues advisory for alternative routes

The DMP has warned that areas around Shahbagh, Shaheed Minar, and Suhrawardy Udyan will see heavy foot and vehicle traffic, especially at the Shahbagh crossing, which may become inaccessible.

Police urged the public to use alternative routes – from Hotel Intercontinental, avoid Shahbagh and take a left turn via Hare Road/Mintu Road; from Katabon, turn right toward Nilkhet/Palashi or left toward Sonargaon (Hatirpool) and proceed via Banglamotor Link Road. 

Also, vehicles coming from High Court/Kadam Fountain are instructed to use Hare Road or Shahid Captain Mansur Ali Avenue (Moghbazar Road) instead of turning toward Shahbagh; and vehicles from Kakrail Mosque should go through High Court toward Gulistan/Dhaka University.