'Not Delhi, not Pindi — Bangladesh first': PM Tarique Rahman at sovereignty rally

'No conspiracy can hold back the democracy-loving people of this country.' Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said this on Saturday afternoon (7 November) at a brief pre-rally gathering in front of the BNP's central office at Nayapaltan in Dhaka, ahead of the 'Sovereignty' rally marking 7 November, National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

The prime minister said: 'Conspiracies are under way in the country once again. A befitting reply will be given, just like on 7 November 1975. Together with the democracy-loving people of the country, we will answer all conspiracies.'

He said: 'Just like in 1971, just like in 1990, just like on 7 November 1975, we want to give a befitting reply once again. Let today's 7 November sovereignty rally be the day that fulfils that expectation. Let today's rally be the day to protect Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty.'

The prime minister added: 'Let it be the day to protect the democracy that the people of Bangladesh established with their lives on 5 August 2024.'

Seeking support from the thousands of leaders and activists gathered at Nayapaltan, the prime minister asked: 'Are you with us?' The leaders and activists responded with repeated applause.

At 3pm, the prime minister stepped onto the temporary stage set up in front of the BNP's central office at Nayapaltan. On the stage with him were BNP National Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed and Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain, along with the party's acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, among others.

From noon, leaders and activists began gathering at Nayapaltan in small processions. With thousands of party leaders, activists and supporters present, the stretch from Kakrail intersection to Fakirapool intersection turned into a vast sea of people.

In the hands of the leaders and activists were Bangladesh's red-and-green flag and placards bearing photographs of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, the late Begum Khaleda Zia and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Wearing caps and jerseys of various colours, the activists made the rally a colourful one.

Addressing the leaders, activists, supporters and the people of the country, the prime minister said: 'Conspiracies are going on inside and outside the country. Together with the democracy-loving people of the country, we will answer all conspiracies.'

The prime minister said: '7 November is the day of national unity, 7 November is the day to protect Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty, 7 November is the day to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.'

The prime minister himself led the slogan: 'Not Delhi, not Pindi, not any other country. Bangladesh first, Bangladesh for all.'

The prime minister said: 'The students and people of Bangladesh did not merely bring back independence and sovereignty. The people of the country drove out the autocrats and conspirators. Just as that evil force was defeated on 7 November 1975, it was defeated in the same way on 5 August 2024, through the participation and movement of the people.'

Noting that one side is still engaged in conspiracy as in the past, the prime minister said: 'Once again they want to undermine Bangladesh's sovereignty, once again they want to bring back the system of dummy elections. That opportunity will not be given again.'

He said: 'The people of a country who could wage the Liberation War in 1971, who could bring about the soldier-people revolution of 1975, who could bring about the student-people uprising of 2024 — those people cannot be suppressed by conspiracy.'

After finishing his speech, the prime minister joined the rally on foot. He raised his hand and exchanged greetings with ordinary people standing on the road. At 4:30pm, he reached Manik Mia Avenue and delivered the closing speech. Cabinet members and leaders and activists from all levels joined the prime minister in the rally.

On the occasion of 7 November, a seminar titled 'National Unity: The Spirit of 7 November' was held on Friday (6 November) at the National Press Club, with former adviser to the interim government Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain as the chief guest. The seminar was organised by the Vision Peace and Strategy Studies Centre (VPSSC).

Sakhawat Hossain said that had Ziaur Rahman not led the historic events of 7 November, Bangladesh could not have survived with its present existence. In his words, national unity was built around Ziaur Rahman on 7 November. He was a natural leader. His honesty, courage, leadership qualities and sense of nationhood made him popular with everyone.

He said that during the events of 7 November, soldiers of the Two Field Artillery freed Ziaur Rahman from captivity. Soldiers of the Four Bengal were also with them at the time. After freeing him, they took him to the office of the commanding officer of the Two Field Artillery. He described the prevailing account of Colonel Taher's role as incorrect.

At the seminar, Professor Shafiul Haq said the unity built through the sacrifice of 1,400 martyrs and the injury, disability and suffering of 20,000 people in the 2024 mass uprising must not be allowed to be destroyed under any circumstances. The July Revolution and the July Charter must be the foundation of national unity, he said.