Rashed Pradhan, vice-president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), was stopped by police on Sunday while attempting a solo protest march to the Indian Embassy in Dhaka. He began his walk from Paltan Box Culvert Road, carrying a symbolic black rose meant to protest what he described as Indian dominance and aggression. Police intercepted him near Badda Link Road after he had walked more than six kilometers.

Pradhan said he intended to deliver the black rose as a message of resistance against Indian influence and criticized the Bangladeshi interim government for preventing his peaceful demonstration. He also condemned an alleged attack on the Bangladeshi embassy in New Delhi, accusing Indian police of inaction. His remarks included strong criticism of India’s foreign policy and demands for justice in cross-border issues such as killings, water sharing, and alleged territorial encroachments.

The incident underscores rising nationalist rhetoric among smaller political groups in Bangladesh and could add strain to the already sensitive Dhaka-New Delhi diplomatic relationship.