Protest against Rampal Power Plant outside Indian Embassy in London.


Salim Mahmoud


A UK based Bangladeshi organisation - Let Voice be Heard, held the protest meeting demanding cancellation of the Rampal Project on 19 October 2016 in front of the main entrance of India House in central London. The activists and members of the group started gathering near the Indian High Commission from 12.30 pm. Later at 1 pm, the convenor of the organisation converged all the members in front of the main entrance of India House. At that time, the members demonstrated sheer dissent regarding the project via slogans and placards.

In the hour long rally, the convenor of Let Voice be Heard - Shakur Haque said, '' Today's rally is a part of our series of ongoing protest against this coal-fired power plant in the close proximity of Sundarbans. Our stance is obvious - the cancellation of this project, therefore we want the Modi government to understand that the people of Bangladesh will never accept this venture. We will continue our movement and will soon announce the future programs.''

One of the activist - Salim Mahmud in his speech said, ''Anu Muhammed and his companions were attacked while visiting the Indian High Commission in Dhaka to drop an open letter to Mr Modi. We are protesting against this shocking onslaught, and at the same time want to remind the government of our people's wish.''

Activist Ekram Ali claimed, ''I am positive that the Government of India will reassess and ultimately cancel the project after this mass demonstration.''

Other speakers were Md. R Karim, Fuad Bin Ibrahim, Abdullah al Raji, Md. Momi Mian, Md. Anwar Hossain, Sheikh Rashid, Sumanta Deb, and Md. Ataur Rahman.

Local people from all walks of life joined in voluntarily to raise their voice against The Rampal Coal-fired Power Plant which is a joint partnership of Bangladesh Power Development Board and Indian State-owned National Thermal Power Corp. Previously, land acquisition for the project has been completed and planning of infrastructure is underway.

On the other hand, different groups and organisations in Bangladesh are holding protest rallies opposing this project - which could endanger Royal Bengal Tigers and other wildlife within the Sundarbans, while expats are running similar rallies too demanding the cancellation of this project.