'We have our own Gaza on our shoulders, yet there's no protest': Khalilur

Drawing a parallel between the prolonged Rohingya crisis and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Chief Adviser's High Representative Khalilur Rahman on Tuesday said Bangladesh is dealing with its own situation like Gaza.

"We have our own Gaza [Rohingya] on our shoulders, yet there are no protests for it…," he said while addressing a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

The press briefing was organised to brief the media on key achievements of the sixth Bimstec Summit held in Bangkok from 3–4 April.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir were also present.

At a time when Bangladesh is hosting an investment summit, protests against Israel erupted across the country, leading to vandalism and attacks on outlets of multinational corporations, he said.

In response to a question about the message this sends to foreign investors, Khalilur Rahman observed, "Whenever we move to do something positive, sudden complications arise. There seems to be a pattern — a deliberate attempt to derail our good initiatives."

He went on to say, "The global conscience is outraged by what's happening in Gaza, and it is natural for Bangladeshis to react. But what pains me most is that we already have a Gaza of our own—the Rohingya crisis. Yet there is no protest, no public discussion. Instead, we see people taking to the streets and engaging in looting. This must stop. We must first resolve our own issues."

Khalilur Rahman expressed disappointment over the apparent double standards in public sentiment, saying, "It feels shameful when I am asked abroad, 'Why is there silence about the Rohingya crisis in your country while you rally for others?' Are the Rohingyas any less Muslim than those in Gaza? We must understand our priorities."

He called on the public to stand up for domestic challenges, saying, "Of course you may speak out about international issues, but first and foremost, stand for the crisis at home. Otherwise, we will fail to protect our national interests."

Meanwhile, on Monday, protests erupted in Bangladesh condemning the Israeli military offensive in Gaza. These demonstrations turned violent in some areas, leading to the arrest of 49 people involved in vandalism and looting.

A statement posted on the Chief Adviser's verified Facebook page confirmed that two official cases had been filed in connection with the violence.

Police are reviewing video footage from the demonstrations to identify those involved and have pledged to continue their crackdown until all perpetrators are brought to justice.

Since 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have retaliated with relentless assaults on the Gaza Strip.

Over 50,000 Palestinians — most of them women and children — have since lost their lives.

Khalilur Rahman reaffirmed Bangladesh's historical commitment to supporting oppressed people worldwide, referencing the country's own liberation struggle. 

"It is our moral obligation to stand with the persecuted. But let us not forget those suffering within our own borders," he said.