Demonstrators Vandalise Bata, KFC, Pizza Hut As Anti-Israel Protests Erupt in Bangladesh | Video

Last Updated:April 08, 2025, 14:25 IST

Protests were reported in several cities, including Bogra, Sylhet, Cox's Bazar, and Chittagong, where demonstrators vandalized outlets and blocked traffic.

Demonstrators Vandalise Bata, KFC and Pizza Hut As Anti-Israel Protests Erupt in Bangladesh

Widespread protests erupted in Bangladesh, with demonstrators condemning Israel’s Gaza military offensive and calling for a boycott of Israeli-affiliated products. The protests, which turned violent in some areas, targeted well-known international brands such as Bata, KFC, and Pizza Hut, perceived by some as having ties to Israel, reported Dhaka Tribune.

Protests were reported in several cities, including Bogra, Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar, and Chittagong, where demonstrators vandalized outlets and blocked traffic. The angry crowds targeted businesses perceived to have ties to Israel, resulting in property damage and disruptions to daily life.

Hundreds of students and locals in Bogra City, Bangladesh, marched to the city center, Satmatha, holding placards and banners. The protestors chanted slogans condemning the ‘genocide in Gaza’ and demanding the boycott of Israeli products.

The protest turned violent when a crowd targeted a Bata showroom, smashing its glass walls with bricks. Employees quickly locked the doors, preventing further damage and potential harm to those inside.

“Although protestors threw bricks and broke the glass, no major untoward incident occurred," said Officer-in-Charge (OC) SM Moinuddin of Bogra Sadar police station.

The protest also caused significant traffic congestion in the city. Students and locals from institutions like Govt Azizul Haque College, protesting under the ‘General Students, Bogra’ banner, flooded the streets in support of Palestinians.

According to the Bangla Tribune, protestors in Sylhet stormed a KFC restaurant in the Mirboxtula area. Bottles of soft drinks perceived to be Israeli-affiliated were smashed. The restaurant was immediately shut down, and police were deployed to prevent further escalation.

The speakers in the rally urged the Bangladesh government and the United Nations to take swift action against Israel and push for a boycott of its products. They also condemned the “brutal killings of innocent children, women, and civilians" in Gaza, calling on the international community to “stand for humanity."

The interim government in Bangladesh, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, has condemned the recent violence, while the ousted Awami League, previously led by Sheikh Hasina, views the developments as a concerning rise in extremism.

“This is more than a political crisis- it’s a national emergency. Bangladesh risks becoming the next Afghanistan if the international community remains silent," the Awami League said in a statement after the violence.

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News world Demonstrators Vandalise Bata, KFC and Pizza Hut As Anti-Israel Protests Erupt in Bangladesh | Video