(BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called upon all democracy-loving people, at home and abroad, to remain united against conspiracies aimed at undermining the country, invoking the spirit of November 7 as a day of national unity and safeguarding Bangladesh`s independence and sovereignty.

"November 7 is the day of national unity. November 7 is the day to protect Bangladesh`s independence and sovereignty. November 7 is the day of the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh," he said.

The Prime Minister told a brief gathering before joining a mammoth public rally in front of the BNP central office at Nayapaltan in the city this afternoon.

Warning that conspiracies were being hatched against the country once again, he said, "No conspiracy can keep the democratic people of the country down."

"Like in 1971, like in 1990, and like on November 7, 1975, we want to give a stern reply once again. Let today`s November 7 revolution rally be the day we fulfil that expectation, a day to protect Bangladesh`s independence and sovereignty," he said.

The Prime Minister also called for protecting democracy, saying, "Let it (November 7) also be the day to protect the democracy that the people of Bangladesh established by sacrificing their lives on August 5, 2024."

Calling for broader unity, he urged people to stand together against any conspiracy, irrespective of whether it originated inside or outside the country.

"Let us, together with all democracy-loving people of Bangladesh, deal with every conspiracy, whether it comes from inside the country or outside, with one united answer," he said.

BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed and AZM Zahid Hossain and Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi were present on the occasion.

BNP workers began arriving at Nayapaltan in small processions from around noon.

By afternoon, thousands of party leaders and activists had gathered in the area stretching from Kakrail intersection to Fakirerpul intersection.
Many carried the national flag and placards bearing photographs of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, while wearing caps and T-shirts of different colours.

Reminding the gathering that the people of Bangladesh had defeated such forces in the past, the Prime Minister said students and people had achieved more than merely restoring the country`s independence and sovereignty.

"The people drove out that autocracy and its conspirators from the country. Just as that evil force was defeated on November 7, 1975, it was defeated again on August 5, 2024, through a movement involving people from all walks of life," he said.

He, however, warned that a group was once again engaged in conspiracies, as it had done in the past, seeking to undermine Bangladesh`s sovereignty and revive the `Ami-Dummy` election system.

"This opportunity will not be given again," he said.

"A nation that brought about 1971, carried out the Sepoy-People`s Revolution of 1975 and staged the Student-People`s Mass Uprising of 2024 cannot be suppressed through conspiracies," he added.

Midway through his speech, the Prime Minister led the gathering in chanting the slogan: "Not Delhi, not Pindi, not any other country. Bangladesh first, Bangladesh for all."

"Let us begin our revolution today," he declared.

Following the speech, the Prime Minister joined the rally on foot and exchanged greetings with people along the route. Cabinet members and leaders from different levels of the party also walked alongside him.

He reached Manik Mia Avenue at 4:30pm, where he delivered his concluding speech.