Photo : Messenger
In the wake of escalating tensions between the major political parties in the country, the nation is now preparing for a potential showdown as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) gear up for rival rallies scheduled to take place on October 28. With both parties unwilling to compromise on their chosen rally venues, fears of street clashes and civil unrest loom large over the nation.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police had initially urged both parties to reconsider their decision to hold rallies on the streets, proposing alternative locations to ensure public safety. Despite the plea, both the AL and BNP have remained steadfast in their stance, heightening concerns among the populace about the possibility of a direct confrontation that could spiral into an uncontainable situation.
The BNP plans to host its highly anticipated rally at Nayapaltan, in front of its central office, while the ruling Awami League is set to convene at the south gate of Baitul Mokarram Mosque, a mere kilometer and a half from the BNP’s rally location. Both parties anticipate drawing a crowd of approximately 500,000 people to their respective events, raising the stakes for a potentially volatile face-off.
As the impasse persists, the prospects for a peaceful resolution appear increasingly bleak. The mounting tensions have been further exacerbated by the inflammatory rhetoric and counter-programming adopted by the party leaders, leaving the general public in a state of palpable anxiety and uncertainty.
To mitigate the potential risks and maintain public order, law enforcement agencies have adopted preemptive measures to ensure the security of citizens and block any untoward incidents during the rallies. Authorities have made it clear that no political rallies will be allowed on the streets in the capital, Dhaka.
Commenting on the issue, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader emphasised the party's commitment to a peaceful assembly at Baitul Mokarram and issued a stern warning against any attempts to disrupt the peace.
"The Awami League wants peace. But, if its peace rally is attacked, the AL men will not sit idle. The Awami League is committed to protecting people's lives and property," he affirmed.
In response to the police's proposal for alternative venues, the BNP has firmly reiterated its intention to hold the rally at Nayapaltan, citing logistical constraints and the impossibility of relocating the event.
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the senior joint secretary general of the BNP, emphasised that all preparations for the rally at Nayapaltan have been completed and the venue cannot be shifted elsewhere.
He also alleged that the government is attempting to provoke violence surrounding the October 28rally in the capital.
"We have repeatedly asserted that the rally will be peaceful. However, the government is trying to incite violence," Rizvi said during a press conference at the party’s central office at Nayapaltan on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the ruling Awami League has taken a proactive stance by initiating street processions and rallies across various districts and wards in Dhaka, a move perceived as an attempt to exert control over the political atmosphere before the BNP's grand event on October 28. Sources within the party indicated that the decision to mobilize was driven by intelligence reports suggesting the arrival of a substantial number of BNP leaders and activists in Dhaka, prompting the ruling party to demonstrate its strength and deter any potential disruption.
As Bangladesh braces for the crucial day, the tension continues to mount, with concerns escalating over the potential fallout of the opposing rallies. The fate of the nation's stability now hangs in the balance, as authorities strive to maintain order and prevent a possible escalation of the political deadlock into widespread civil unrest.
Messenger/Jakir/Disha
