Solidarity for Gaza: Students, Tech Professionals and People from All Walks Protest Israeli Aggression Across Bangladesh
From raising voices in cyberspace to demonstrating in the streets, students and citizens across Bangladesh are protesting Israeli aggression by symbolically showing red cards. Prominent technology universities, including BUET and GDU, have been vocal in their condemnation. Demonstrations have also taken place in front of the ICT Tower in the capital.
Various organizations and business entities from the country's information and communication technology (ICT) sector have actively participated in these protests.
In Dhaka’s Motijheel area, members of the Motijheel Computer Society (MCS) and traders from Rahmania Computer Market organized protest marches and rallies against the indiscriminate Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza. Similar demonstrations were held by the ECS Computer City Business Owners’ Association and the Elephant Road Computer Traders’ Welfare Association (ECS). Protesters also gathered in front of the Multiplan Center.
On Monday (April 7), students from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) staged a human chain at the central Shaheed Minar on campus, demanding an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza and expressing support for the global campaign, “The World Stops for Gaza.”
More than a hundred students took part, joined in solidarity by several BUET faculty members. They chanted, “Free Palestine, Down with Israel,” and “Inquilab Inquilab, Al-Aqsa Zindabad,” calling for the liberation of Palestine and full rights in Jerusalem.
BUET’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury said, “The Israeli occupation forces have maintained their colonial grip for nearly three-quarters of a century and continue to commit genocide. Yet, the Arab world and global powers remain silent. I believe the rise of an independent Palestine from this rubble will mark the beginning of the end of imperialism and colonialism.” He expressed full support for the “Global Strike for Gaza” initiative.
Meanwhile, Gazipur Digital University (GDU) observed a full day of solidarity actions, including a work stoppage across all offices from 10 AM to 12 PM, a human chain at 11 AM in front of the administrative building, and suspension of all academic activities for the day.
GDU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, addressing the gathering, said, “We stand here today in the midst of a global ‘No Work No School’ campaign. The brutal massacre being carried out by Israeli forces in Gaza has prompted worldwide outrage. We’ve joined this call from our students to express solidarity and condemn this massacre in the strongest possible terms.”
He added, “The indiscriminate killing of women and children in Gaza is a gross violation of human rights. We earnestly urge the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to raise their voices thunderously and stand by our brothers and sisters in Palestine. We are all with you. The continued bombings and killings must not be tolerated any longer.”
The protest was moderated by Acting Proctor Rakib Hossain, and featured speeches by Treasurer Prof. Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain, Director of Student Welfare Farhana Islam, Director of Research Md. Ashraful Zaman, Assistant Proctor Ashikussalehin, and Senior System Analyst Muhammad Shaheenul Kabir.
Similar demonstrations erupted across the country, with university students spearheading protest rallies that brought academic activities to a halt. At Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, political activists and students carried placards reading “Show Israel the Red Card.”
From Dhaka University’s Raju Memorial Sculpture to private campuses in Bashundhara, mass rallies were held demanding justice for Gaza and boycotting Israeli products.
In Bashundhara Residential Area, hundreds of students from North South University (NSU), Independent University Bangladesh (IUB), American International University Bangladesh (AIUB), and United International University (UIU) marched through the streets chanting, “Free Free Palestine,” “Boycott Israel,” and “Israel Will Be Seen, Palestine Will Be Free.” Faculty and staff also joined the students in solidarity.
Bangladesh University organized a protest and human chain at its main gate from 12 PM to 1 PM. Placards reading “Boycott Trump, Save Palestine” and “Boycott USA” were prominently displayed.
Prominent speakers at the event included Registrar Brigadier General Mahbubul Haque (Retd.), English Department Chair Prof. Humayun Kabir, CSE Department Chair Sadiq Iqbal, Architecture Faculty Member Khandaker Tariqul Islam, Business Administration Lecturer Tahmina Akter, and Law Faculty Lecturer Rezaul Alim. They urged the UN and global human rights organizations to enforce an immediate ceasefire and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Protests were also held near the US Embassy in Dhaka, including rallies by students from Presidency University, University of Information Technology and Sciences, and Bangladesh Navy College. A separate demonstration took place across the street from the embassy, led by students of United International University (UIU).
Amid the heightened activism, Daffodil International University suspended a faculty member, Tahmina Rahman, for controversial remarks made in relation to the Global Strike for Gaza. Meanwhile, Sharifuzzaman Sajal, an English Department faculty member at Jashore University of Science and Technology, posted on Facebook that, “Any student attending any program against genocide will receive double attendance from me—because no theoretical class can teach what they’ll experience there.”
Additionally, officials and employees from the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division and its affiliated departments and organizations held a human chain and silent protest in front of the ICT Tower in Agargaon, Dhaka.
From academic halls to public squares, Bangladesh continues to roar in solidarity with Palestine, demanding justice and a permanent end to occupation and violence.
