BNP’s Ruhul Kabir Rizvi burns Indian saree in protest

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the Senior Joint Secretary General of Bangladesh’s opposition party BNP, made headlines on Thursday when he burned an Indian saree in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka. 

This act of protest was in response to recent events involving the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Assam and reports of the Bangladeshi flag being disrespected in India.

At a rally titled “Blessed to Buy Local Products,” Rizvi threw the saree onto the street, instructing his supporters to set it on fire. Party workers quickly followed his command and set the saree ablaze as a symbolic gesture of protest.

Speaking to the crowd, Rizvi praised Bangladesh‍‍`s decision to halt the issuance of visas to India, saying, “The government has made the right decision. We can survive on one meal, but we will never bow down.”

He also took aim at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of being supported by India despite her government‍‍`s alleged involvement in the disappearance and deaths of political opponents and student protestors. 

"Sheikh Hasina, who is responsible for disappearances, killings, and bloodshed on our streets, is supported by India but not by Bangladesh," Rizvi said.

Rizvi emphasized that while a few people like Sheikh Hasina may listen to India, millions of Bengalis oppose such actions. 

“There may be a few like Sheikh Hasina who will follow whatever India says, but millions of Bengalis stand against this,” he added.

The protest was attended by other BNP leaders and party supporters.