BNP held a sizable peaceful rally today in the capital, dispelling all rumors and overcoming many challenges. From this rally, the party announced that it would launch a simultaneous, anti-government movement on December 24 with a 10-point demand.
On December 24, the party will organize large-scale processions around the nation to launch the parallel anti-government movement.
Mass protests will also take place on December 13 to protest the killing of a Swechhasebak Dal activist during the BNP vs. police altercation on December 7, as well as the party’s top leaders being detained and activists being attacked.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain came up with the announcement while speaking at the rally at Golapbagh ground.
Mosharraf said that all parties who reach an understanding with them to initiate a simultaneous movement will move forward and intensify the anti-government agitation.
Their 10-point demand is for the resignation of the government, the dissolution of parliament, the inclusion of a caretaker government provision in the constitution through an amendment, the creation of a new Election Commission under the caretaker government, the establishment of an even playing field prior to the election, the use of ballots in the election, the unconditional release of BNP chair Khaleda Zia and all other political prisoners, and the revocation of the Digital Secrecy.
Tens of thousands of people from the capital and different parts of the country joined the rally and the crowd spilled over on to several square kilometers around the rally venue.
Before joining the rally, the party’s seven MPs resigned from the Parliament by sending their resignation letter through an email.
BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said lakhs of people joined the rally as they want to get rid of the fascist misrule of the current regime.
He alleged that the government has been trying to hang onto power by suppressing the opposition using law enforcers as it lost ground beneath its feet.
BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuels, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore, and to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The party has already arranged rallies in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal, Faridpur, Sylhet, Cumilla and Rajshahi braving various obstacles and transport strikes.
The BNP has long demanded that the next general election be held under a caretaker government and not under any political government. The ruling Awami League has vehemently rejected this demand because it is against the law.
