Participants of Sanatan Jagaran Mancha have alleged that members of law enforcement agencies have obstructed their way to the rally.
As the crowd swelled up, they bypassed the barricades, gathered at the Cheragi Pahar intersection, and held their rally.
During the gathering, speakers issued a warning, if false cases tied to the flag incident are not withdrawn by next Monday, they vowed to take the movement worldwide.
The protest took place at Cheragi intersection, under Kotwali Police Station in the city at 3pm on Friday.
Speakers at the event said that: “We are here for a peaceful rally, in the areas of Jamalkhan, Askardighi, Nandankanan, and Andarkilla, people were being blocked from attending. If we’re barred from marching, we will move forward regardless and gather those prevented from joining.”
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the gathering at Cheragi intersection was pre-arranged, with access restricted at Jamalkhan, Andarkilla, and Nandankanan intersections. Despite obstructions, attendees bypassed the barricades and reached the rally site without any altercation.
At 4pm, the meeting commenced with Swatantra Gauranga Das Brahmachari, coordinator of Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha, presiding.
Gauranga Das addressed the crowd, saying: “We have given deadline to the administration until November 4. Nationwide, Sanatani people are outraged over false cases filed against Chinmay Krishna Das Brahmachari and others. If these cases are not dropped, our movement will spread globally. We believe in peaceful action, but today’s rally was disrupted by law enforcement. Sanatani people are here to assert their rights, and they will not be intimidated.”
He added: “Hindus are also sons of this soil. Men, women, children, and the elderly have come to demand their rights and peaceful existence in this country. We are not easily uprooted. Filing false cases against us for standing up for our rights is intolerable. Students have sacrificed their lives resisting discrimination, let no new injustice arise.”
He further demanded the implementation of the Sanatani community’s 8-point demand and the withdrawal of the sedition charges, urging the authorities to investigate Firoz, whom he accused of inciting communal unrest.
“Firoz must be held accountable and questioned. If the administration fails to act, a memorandum will be submitted to the Chief Adviser via the Deputy Commissioners across the country on November 3.”