Bangladesh: Thousands of BNP youth members demonstrate in Dhaka

Dhaka: Thousands of youth activists from three major affiliate organisations of the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party)—Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal—convened in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan to hold a mass demonstration demanding the restoration of political rights for young Bangladeshis, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

The rally, themed ‘Establishing the Political Rights of the Youth’, marks the climax of an eight-day campaign spanning four divisions. The procession was kickstarted by cultural performances and recitations from the Quran, as crowds began gathering in early morning hours.

Participants from Dhaka, Sylhet, Faridpur, and Mymensingh flooded the capital, parading with party flags, banners, and portraits of BNP founder and the country's former leader, President Ziaur Rahman, BNP Chairperson and former PM Khaleda Zia, and the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, reports The Daily Star.

A massive stage was erected opposite BNP’s central office served as the rally’s focal point, with loudspeakers installed across the area to reach the massive crowd. The mass political procession brought all traffic to a halt in the capital, as key intersections became rally points broadcasting speeches live from the stage.

“This is more than just a political programme,” said SM Jilani, President of Swechchhasebak Dal. “It’s a youth awakening. We expect over 1.5 million participants.”

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman was set to join virtually as chief guest, alongside senior leaders including Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed. His speech is expected to outline the party’s roadmap for youth political empowerment.

“Young people can no longer speak freely or vote,” said JCD leader Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahiya. “This rally transforms our silent frustration into a united voice.”

Abdul Gaffar, a Chhatra Dal activist, echoed the urgency: “There are 3.5 crore voters aged 18 to 33. Without their right to vote, there is no democracy. We demand elections under a neutral government—and we demand it now.”

The BNP's youth rally in Dhaka underscores its demand for a non-partisan interim government, amid growing feelings of political and youth disenfranchisement.

This comes in the wake of the party’s growing hostilities with the Yunus administration due to its lack of an election roadmap, and many of its unfulfilled promises. (With inputs from agencies)