July Oikya Warns of Entering Indian High Commission if Demands Are Ignored

July Oikya, a platform of several organisations linked to the July mass uprising, has warned that it will ignore police barriers and enter the Indian High Commission in Dhaka if the attackers of Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi are not identified and if former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death in cases related to the July killings, is not brought back promptly.

The warning was issued on Wednesday afternoon at around 5:00pm as July Oikya concluded its “March to the Indian High Commission” programme in the capital.

The platform had announced the programme last Wednesday, demanding the return of Sheikh Hasina and others convicted in the July massacre cases. It also alleged continued conspiracies by what it described as “Indian proxy political forces and government officials.”

As part of the programme, a procession led by July Oikya organisers began around 3:00pm from Rampura. Police stopped the march near the Hossain Market area in Badda at around 4:00pm, prompting protesters to stage a sit-in on the road.

During the demonstration, protesters chanted slogans such as “Delhi or Dhaka, Dhaka is Dhaka” and “Indian dominance is unacceptable,” while displaying placards opposing Indian influence.

Participants included several former military officers, leaders of the Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University central students’ unions, and students from universities, schools, colleges, and madrasas.

Speaking to the media, July Oikya organiser Israfil Faraji said the programme was intended as a warning. He claimed that India had hired lobbyists on behalf of the Awami League, accusing them of attempting to rehabilitate the party through contacts with various political groups and foreign missions.

Issuing a further warning, Faraji said that while the protesters stopped for now, future demonstrations would be larger. He added that if Sheikh Hasina and others accused of killings were not returned, the consequences would not be favourable for India.

Another organiser, former DUCSU social welfare secretary Zubair bin Neshari, also addressed the rally, accusing India of aggression and sheltering individuals accused of crimes in Bangladesh. He warned that if such actions continued, stronger measures would follow.

Zubair further said that Wednesday’s march was meant to express public anger, adding that while protesters stopped outside the High Commission this time, they would consider entering the premises if their demands were not met.