The event was organized by BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), as part of the party’s month-long programme marking the one-year anniversary of the July uprising.

“We must take an oath today—never again will fascist Sheikh Hasina be given the opportunity to do politics in Bangladesh. We will bow to no one. We will build a self-sufficient Bangladesh with our own strength,” Fakhrul told a large gathering of student activists.

Addressing the JCD members, Fakhrul invoked a message of hope and sacrifice. “A new sun has risen. It signals a new dawn, a new opportunity to rebuild our country. Our student brothers have shed blood, faced torture, and endured repeated imprisonment. I don’t think there is a single JCD member who hasn’t suffered under this regime,” he said.

Referring to Hasina’s current whereabouts, he alleged, “The fascist Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge in our neighboring country, India, along with her loyalists. From there, they are threatening to attack Bangladesh and creating unrest here. From today’s rally, we vow not to let her return to politics.”

Fakhrul also expressed optimism about BNP’s participation in the upcoming national election, expected in February, and said the party hopes its acting chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh and contest the polls.

Earlier, JCD President Rakibul Islam declared that no force could suppress the student wing. “If needed, Chhatra Dal can uproot the ‘venomous fangs’ of those destabilizing the country,” he said, warning of nationwide blockades if ordered by Tarique Rahman.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman also joined the rally virtually. Other senior leaders, including Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, and central leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, were present.

The rally, presided over by JCD President Rakibul Islam and conducted by General Secretary Nasir Uddin, began with a tribute to student leaders who lost their lives over the past 15 years in political movements.

Nasir Uddin alleged that many JCD members, including former president Ilias Ali, were victims of enforced disappearances or extrajudicial killings by forces loyal to the Hasina government.

Many attendees arrived at the rally wearing headbands bearing national and party flags, while waving Chhatra Dal and BNP banners.