Tarique Rahman calls for united reply in the spirit of 7 November

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday warned that conspiracies are being hatched against the country again, and called for a united and befitting reply like those of 7 November 1975, the Liberation War of 1971 and the mass movement of 1990. He was speaking at a rally before a procession in front of the BNP's central office at Naya Paltan in Dhaka, organised to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

"Like in 1971, like in the nineties, like on 7 November 1975, we want to give a befitting reply again," Tarique Rahman said. "Let today's 7 November revolution rally be the day that fulfils that expectation. Let today's rally be the day to protect the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh."

He said the day should also be one to protect the democracy that the people of Bangladesh established on 5 August 2024 by sacrificing their lives.

Addressing the leaders, workers and supporters present, he asked, "Are you with us?" The leaders and workers present applauded in support of his words.

At around a quarter past three in the afternoon, Tarique Rahman inaugurated the procession from a temporary stage set up in front of the BNP's central office. He later joined the procession himself.

BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed and AZM Zahid Hossain, along with acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and other senior leaders, were present in the procession.

According to the programme announced in advance, the procession was to go from Naya Paltan through Kakrail, past the Chief Justice's residence, Hotel InterContinental, Banglamotor and Farmgate to Manik Mia Avenue.

The final destination was later changed, and Zia Udyan was fixed as the end point instead.

The BNP is observing a seven-day programme from 5 to 11 November to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day. As part of it, processions were organised on Saturday in Dhaka and in districts and metropolitan cities across the country.

The rally and procession formed the central programme of the day's observance, with the party's week-long programme continuing until 11 November.