BNP shifts rally to Nov 8 after Nov 7 plans challenged

The BNP says it has asked for formal permission to hold a rally at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on Nov 8.

The opposition party had previously said it would stick firmly to its decision to hold a rally on Nov 7 despite a threat from a ruling party leader.

The announcement was made by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a press conference at the BNP’s headquarters in Naya Paltan on Wednesday.

“We have formally applied to the administration for permission to hold a rally on Nov 8 in Suhrawardy Udyan to commemorate the Nov 7 National Revolution and Solidarity Day,” he said.

On Nov 7, 1975 an uprising reinstated Maj Gen Ziaur Rahman to power after a coup. The BNP commemorates the occasion as ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’.

The Awami League does not recognise the occasion and instead refers to Nov 7 as ‘Freedom Fighters Massacre Day’ or ‘GI-Public Uprising Day’.

“We hope the administration will give us permission to hold the rally as soon as possible,” said Secretary General Rizvi. “We believe there is no question of denying our request for a rally on Nov 8.”

On Monday, Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif had said a BNP rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on Nov 7 would be prevented.

He added that those who were behind Bangabandhu's assassination observe Nov 7 as a day of revolution to cover up the Nov 3, 1975, jail killing of four Awami League leaders.

"Nov 7 is the day when democracy was restored in the country. The day will be observed.  I am saying, on behalf of the BNP, that if Mr Hanif stops us, we will move forward with olive branches," Rizvi had said on Tuesday.

At the press conference on Wednesday Rizvi reaffirmed the BNP’s commitment to the Nov 8 event.

He claimed BNP activists preparing for the Nov 7 event across the country are facing police harassment.

“Not only does this demonstrate the undemocratic political situation created by the current regime, it is another disgusting example of the ruling party using illegal means to maintain control,” he said.