Bangladesh witnessed a wave of widespread and intense protests against Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, with demonstrators across multiple cities calling for an immediate boycott of products allegedly linked to the Jewish state. What began as peaceful marches quickly spiraled into chaos, as several international brands were vandalized amid confusion and misinformation about their connections to Israel.
Nationwide Unrest Over Gaza Conflict
The protests erupted in various parts of the country, including the capital Dhaka, as large groups of people—many waving placards and chanting slogans—condemned what they described as Israel’s “brutal assault” on innocent civilians in Gaza. Demonstrators demanded a nationwide boycott of Israeli goods and called upon the global community to intervene.
However, the demonstrations soon turned violent, with protesters targeting outlets of popular international brands like Bata, KFC, and Pizza Hut—wrongly believed to be associated with Israel. According to local media, the mobs vandalized properties, disrupted commercial activity, and created widespread panic.
Bogra: Protest Turns Violent at Bata Showroom
In Bogra City, hundreds of students and residents gathered at the Satmatha intersection in a major demonstration. The rally escalated when protesters began pelting a Bata showroom with bricks, breaking its glass windows. Fortunately, quick thinking by store employees—who locked the doors from the inside—prevented further damage or injury.
“No major incidents occurred beyond the vandalism of the exterior glass,” said SM Moinuddin, Officer-in-Charge at Bogra Sadar police station.
Sylhet: Protesters Storm KFC Outlet
In Sylhet, demonstrators stormed a KFC branch in the Mirboxtula area, smashing soft drink bottles they believed were linked to Israeli companies. The situation became tense, prompting authorities to close the outlet as police arrived to disperse the crowd and regain control.
Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar: Franchises Vandalized
Violence also erupted in Chittagong, where protesters targeted KFC and Pizza Hut outlets near the GEC intersection. Armed with bricks, stones, and even shoes, the angry crowd shattered glass facades and caused significant property damage. Two units of Chittagong Metropolitan Police were deployed, and the situation was brought under control by evening.
In Cox’s Bazar, protesters gathered near the Kalatali area, where they hurled stones at signboards of the same franchises. While no internal vandalism was reported, eyewitnesses claimed that the chaos affected nearby businesses as well.
Officer-in-Charge Elias Khan told BBC Bangla, “There was no destruction inside the restaurants, only damage to the outer signage.”
Bata Responds: “No Ties to Israel”
Amid the growing unrest and damage to its retail outlets, Bata issued a formal statement to clear the air and counter the misinformation fueling the protests.
“We are aware of inaccurate claims suggesting Bata is an Israeli-owned company or has political affiliations in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict,” the company said.
Bata clarified that it is a privately held, family-owned company founded in the Czech Republic and has no political ties to the Middle East conflict. The company expressed deep regret over the incidents in Bangladesh and urged people to rely on verified information.
Political Fallout: Parties Clash Over Rising Extremism
The violent protests have triggered sharp political reactions. The interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, condemned the violence and promised strict action against those responsible.
However, the opposition Awami League, led by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, issued a fiery statement blaming the unrest on the current administration’s failure to maintain law and order.
“This is more than a political issue—it’s a national emergency. Bangladesh risks sliding into extremism if immediate action isn’t taken. The country must not become the next Afghanistan,” the party warned.
Calling for Dr. Yunus to step down, the Awami League demanded fresh elections and international intervention to restore democratic order.
Government Action and Arrests
Dr. Yunus responded with a strong statement on Tuesday, reiterating his government’s commitment to public safety and condemning all acts of violence during the protests.
“Violent acts like these are unacceptable. They threaten both public safety and the democratic fabric of our country,” Yunus stated.
He confirmed that police had made at least 49 arrests, filed two cases, and were reviewing video footage to identify additional perpetrators. Overnight raids were conducted in multiple cities, and further legal action is underway.
A Call for Global Attention
Speakers at several protest rallies called on both the Bangladeshi government and the United Nations to take stronger stances against Israel’s actions in Gaza. They demanded a formal boycott of Israeli-linked products and urged the global community to act in defense of humanity, condemning the civilian casualties in the region,