Protests sweep across country over Israeli attacks on Gaza
Widespread protests have erupted across parts of the country, including Dhaka, Faridpur and Narayanganj, as students and citizens took to the streets to condemn the brutal Israeli assault on Gaza.
Different areas of the capital saw protest rallies today (7 April) demanding action against the Israeli onslaught on Gaza.
People gathered at Shahbagh, Shaheed Minar and Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area with banners of different organisations.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Another protest was held in Manik Mia at 3:30pm.
Meanwhile, students of major universities and schools across the capital, including Dhaka University, BRAC University, East-West University, North South University, Sunbeams School and Adroit International School, also joined the global strike for Gaza.
In Savar, about 5,000-6,000 students of Daffodil International University held a protest rally this morning on the university campus with various banners and placards.
On the other hand, students of City University also held a similar protest programme in front of the university in the Khagan area of Birulia at around 10am.
Also, students of various educational institutions, including students of Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, held a protest rally and march programme at the Pakija intersection area of the Dhaka-Aricha highway around 10am.
In Rajshahi, students and faculty of Rajshahi University formed a human chain and held a rally from 11:15am to 12:30pm on the university campus.
Besides, protest programmes were also held in different places in the city.
In Faridpur, a massive protest march was organised under the banner of the student community around 11am. The rally began in front of the Faridpur Press Club and proceeded through the city's main streets before concluding at Janata Bank intersection.
At the end of the march, protesters staged a sit-in, strongly denouncing the inhumane attacks on unarmed civilians in Gaza. The demonstrators called for an immediate end to the aggression and demanded the recognition of Gaza as an independent state.
Speakers at the rally appealed to global powers to intervene and stop the ongoing violence.
In Narayanganj, similar sentiments were echoed as students and citizens blocked roads in protest.
Protest programmes were also held in Cox's Bazar, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Gazipur.
On Monday morning (7 April 7), protesters had gathered at the city's central Chashara Shaheed Minar after marching from various parts of the city. Around 10:45am, they began a road blockade that halted traffic between Narayanganj and key areas including Dhaka, Munshiganj, and Adamjee.
The demonstration received support from political, social, and cultural organisations. Leaders and activists from the National Citizens Party, Ganosamhati Andolon, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and Student Federation, along with various religious groups, joined in solidarity.
Abdullah Al Amin, joint secretary of the National Citizens Party, stated, "This protest was called in response to the barbaric Israeli attacks on Gaza. A massive number of people have spontaneously joined in support of the Palestinian cause."
During the blockade, demonstrators chanted slogans in support of Gaza and Palestine, while also expressing strong condemnation of Arab leaders and the United Nations for their perceived inaction.
Narayanganj Sadar Police Officer-in-Charge Nasir Ahmed confirmed that the protest was peaceful. "We are working to negotiate with the students to restore normal traffic flow," he added.
