On Monday, thousands of individuals gathered at one of Bangladesh’s prominent universities to protest against Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, demonstrating their solidarity with the global student-led protests and occupations.
Led by pro-Palestinian student leaders and activists from various universities, the demonstrators marched through the streets carrying flags of both Bangladesh and Palestine, chanting slogans in support of Gaza.
Their procession concluded at Dhaka University, the nation’s largest and oldest tertiary institution, where they congregated around the iconic Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture, a symbol commemorating Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971.
Saddam Hussain, president of the organizing student group Bangladesh Students’ League, articulated their stance, expressing solidarity with the call for a free Palestine and endorsing demands such as divestment from Israel. The protest also aimed to align with the broader global student movement advocating for peace and justice.
The escalating violence in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of nearly 35,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, prompted the World Food Program to warn of a “full-blown famine” engulfing parts of the besieged enclave.
Inspired by protests at US universities, students worldwide, including in India, Australia, France, and beyond, have rallied against Israel’s actions, urging their governments to sever ties with Tel Aviv. However, unlike the US, where protests faced crackdowns and arrests, the demonstration in Dhaka proceeded peacefully with minimal police presence.
Solaiman Khan, a student at Dhaka University, condemned the hypocrisy of world leaders who advocate for freedom of speech but fail to address the violence against Palestinians. He called for an end to Israeli atrocities and urged global leaders to take decisive action to prevent further loss of life in Gaza, stating the responsibility to act for the sake of future generations.
