Massive JCD student rally underway at Shahbagh intersection

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of BNP, rally began in the capital’s Shahbagh area with a massive presence of leaders and activists from all over the country.

A massive student rally organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of BNP, is underway at Shahbagh in Dhaka, drawing thousands of leaders and activists from across the country.

The rally began at 3:16pm on Sunday with a recitation from the Holy Quran, marking the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, who is also the organisational guardian of JCD, virtually joined the event at 3:14pm. Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party leaders are also expected to address the gathering.

Students from various educational institutions, including many from outside Dhaka, have joined the rally along with family members of JCD members killed during the previous year’s movement.

Since early morning, Shahbagh and surrounding areas have been packed with JCD activists. A large stage has been set up at the intersection, with loudspeakers and big screens placed around the venue to help attendees follow the proceedings. The area stretching from Matshya Bhaban to Katabon has been overwhelmed with participants.

Ten health booths have been established around the rally grounds for emergency support. To ease movement, the organisers have kept the alley between Aziz Super Market and PG Hospital open for ambulances and emergency vehicles, though no vehicles carrying activists are allowed inside Dhaka University.

Participants have been asked not to bring personal processions or banners, and each unit is responsible for cleaning up their designated area after the rally.

Traffic around Shahbagh, Dhaka University, and Matsyabhaban has been halted by police since morning, leading to significant congestion in nearby areas.

JCD had earlier planned to hold the rally at the Central Shaheed Minar but changed the venue to Shahbagh following a request from the National Citizen Party (NCP), which also had a rally scheduled at the original location.

Apologising for the inconvenience, JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib urged city residents for patience and understanding.

JCD General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir said the rally would be peaceful and disciplined. “Through this gathering, our guardian Tarique Rahman will deliver an important message about the future of student politics,” he said.

To manage the event, 90 organisational committees and around 3,500 volunteer teams have been deployed. This marks the first major public rally by the student wing since last year’s mass uprising.