Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman today said the anti-democratic evil forces are hatching conspiracy in a bid to frustrate the interim government.

“Freedom-loving people should remain alert  . . . the conspiracy of anti-democratic evil forces has not stopped yet. The allies of fugitive dictator are still active at home and abroad, in power and administration, to thwart the interim government,” he said.

Tarique Rahman was addressing a mammoth public gathering prior to bringing out a procession in the capital from the party’s Nayapaltan central office marking the historic November 7 in the capital on virtual platform.

BNP observes November 7 as the “National Revolution and Solidarity Day”.

“We cannot let the interim government to be failed by any means. The interim government should take pragmatic steps to meet the people’s aspirations.  It’s the demand of the people now. We cannot let the gathering of thousands of people here go in vain,” he said.

The BNP acting chairman congratulated the people for the fall of fascism in the students-led mass uprising.

He said November 7, 1975 was the day to know enemy and friend while August 5, 2024 was the day to identify the enemy of Bangladesh.

Tarique urged the pro-Bangladeshi forces to remain united so that none can endanger the country's independence and sovereignty.

Later, he inaugurated the procession, which was brought out from the city’s Naya Paltan area at 4 pm with the participation of tens of thousands of leaders and activists of the party.

The procession ended at Manik Mia Avenue after parading different city streets like Kakrail, Matsya Bhaban, IEB, Shahbagh, Hotel Intercontinental, Banglamotor, Karwan Bazar and Farmgate areas.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Members Mirza Abbas, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Vice-Chairmen Mohammad Shahjahan, Air Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Abdul Awal Mintoo and Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Abdus Salam, Mojibur Rahman Sarwar, Joint Secretaries General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie and Abdus Salam Azad, BNP Chairperson’s Special Assistant Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, International Affairs Secretary Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim, Masud Ahmed Talukder, Self-Reliance Affairs Secretary Shirin Sultana, Student Affairs Secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul, Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, Health Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam, central leaders Rashiduzzaman Millat, Mir Newaz Ali, Saiful Alam Nirab, Nilofar Chowdhury Moni, Taiful Islam Tipu, Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Aminul Haque and Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Juba Dal President M Monayem Munna, General Secretary Narul Islam Nayan, Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani, General Secretary Rajib Ahsan, Krishak Dal President Hasan Zafir Tuhin, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir joined the procession, among others.

Since morning, leaders and activists from across Dhaka and surrounding districts started gathering at Naya Paltan with chanting full- throated slogans- “Swadhinatar Ghoshok Zia, Lou Lou, Lou Salam”, “Gonotonter Opar Nam, Ziaur Rahman”, “Desh Goreshen Shaheed Zia, Netri Moder Khaleda Zia” Tarique Rahman Birer Beshe, Ashbe Fire Bangladeshe”, “Tarique Rahman Voy Nai, Rajpath Chhari Nai”.  

 With the passing of time, the massive public gathering turned into a human sea as streets from Fakirapool-Kakrail to Matsyabhaban areas were filled with tens of thousands of leaders and activists carrying party flags, banners and festoons with photographs of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

BNP Standing Committee members along with the BNP Secretary General took part in the procession in an open truck.

Leaders and workers joined the procession wearing colorful t-shirts and sarees and carrying drums (Dhak-Dhol).

Various scenes of massacre in the July mass uprising were displayed through placards in the procession. A woman depicting ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina confined in a cage joined the rally. This woman's face was decorated like a monster and her head had two horns.

The cage also contained placards containing information about injustices-torture and looting were taken place during the Awami League regime.

Thousands of spectators on both sides of the road congratulated the leaders and workers of BNP by clapping during the procession. BNP leaders respond to the greetings of the bystanders by raising their hands.

All the wards of Dhaka city including Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Gazipur, Tangail, Narsingdi and neighboring districts also joined the procession.

Apart from the capital, identical colorful processions were also brought out simultaneously in the divisional cities.

During the Awami League regime, rallies were held from Nayapaltan to Shantinagar intersection with the permission of the police. BNP brought out procession up to Manik Mia Avenue for the first time after more than an era.

On November 7, the BNP Secretary General and Standing Committee members along with the party leaders and workers paid tributes at the grave of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning.

In the afternoon, a cultural program was organised at the Central Shaheed Minar under the arrangement of the artistes of Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas).