• The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced a program titled “Ekushey February” to observe Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day on February 20-21.
• According to the slated program, the national and party flags will be flown at half-mast, and black flags will be hoisted at BNP’s district, metropolitan, upazila, thana, municipal, and various unit offices across the country at 06:00 (local time) on February 21.
• Morning processions will follow the gatherings at the party offices on the day, which will proceed to local Shaheed Minars.
• A gathering of the party leaders is also scheduled to take place in front of Balaka Cinema Hall in Dhaka at 06:30 on February 21. They will march from there to the Azimpur Graveyard and conclude the events outside the Central Shaheed Minar.

1. Participation in the gatherings is anticipated to vary based on location. Given the BNP’s mobilization capabilities, smaller towns and cities are likely to see a turnout in the low-to-mid dozens, while in Chittagong and Dhaka crowds in the mid-to-high hundreds can be expected. The authorities are anticipated to bolster security protocols via the deployment of additional personnel and installation of barricades near local BNP offices and Shaheed Minars, particularly in Chittagong and Dhaka. Security will be particularly strengthened in the vicinity of the Central Shaheed Minar and the BNP’s headquarters in Dhaka, considering the sensitive nature of the location, and due to their proximity to the Bangladesh Secretariat building.  
2. While there exists a latent potential for inter-party clashes, such a scenario is made less likely considering that the former ruling Awami League (AL) and its affiliated groups also observed the day with tributes of their own in 2024. The potential for clashes is also minimized given the negative optics associated with opposing the BNP’s processions due to the official state recognitions of Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. That said, significant traffic disruptions are expected nationwide, particularly in major cities like Dhaka and Chittagong on February 21. 

Those operating or residing in Bangladesh on February 21 are advised to maintain vigilance in the vicinity of the aforementioned locations due to the announced BNP processions, while allotting for disruptions to travel.