<noinclude> </noinclude>
A series of rallies, demonstrations, and blockades opposing the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the celebrations of the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan were held in Bangladesh from 19 to 29 March 2021. Accusing Narendra Modi of committing crimes against humanity during the 2002 Gujarat riots, the protesters agitated against what they alleged were anti-Muslim policies and interference in Bangladeshi politics. Protesters demanded the cancellation of the Bangladesh government's invitation to the Indian Prime Minister. The otherwise peaceful protests turned violent when the protesters were attacked by supporters of the ruling Awami League party, along with a crackdown by law enforcement agencies, causing the deaths of several protesters throughout the last week of March 2021. Initially launched by progressive student organisations including the Bangladesh Students' Union, Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, and the Socialist Students' Front, the demonstrations were later joined by Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.
The deadly conflict chiefly began when supporters of the Awami League tried to stop the protesters from waving their shoes at Modi as a sign of discontent at Baitul Mukarram mosque, Dhaka. This resulted in violent clashes involving both sides. After the incident, the violence spread to several key districts in the country, leading to damage to public property.
Amnesty International, in a statement on 26 March 2021, criticized the Bangladesh government for using excessive force on the protesters and urged the government to "respect the right to freedom of assembly and protect peaceful protesters". Following the killings of its supporters on Friday, Hefazat called a strike protesting the killing of its activists by police and the attack on them by supporters of the ruling party on Sunday, 28 March. "Police opened fire on our peaceful supporters," the group's organizing secretary Azizul Haque told a rally in Chittagong. "We will not let the blood of our brothers and sisters go in vain." The clashes resulted in at least 14 deaths and many injuries, with Brahmanbaria alone accounting for 10 deaths.
Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan on 26 March 1971, with the diplomatic and military support of India. The 50th occurrence of 26 March since then marked the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence; to celebrate the day, the Bangladesh government invited the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Soon after the Indian Prime Minister decided to join the celebration, Bangladeshi students and Islamists vowed to resist him from visiting Bangladesh.
The former Vice-president of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union, Nurul Haq Nur, in a rally in front of the Press Club on 12 March 2021, termed Narendra Modi the "Butcher of Gujarat" and said that he was unwelcome in Bangladesh. On the other hand, the Police chief of Bangladesh declared restrictions on movement during the visit of foreign guests, including the Indian Premier, on 15 March 2021. He also requested political parties not to hold programmes during the visit of Narendra Modi.
On 18 March 2021, progressive student organisations declared a series of protests against the visit of Narendra Modi to Bangladesh, including rallies, demonstrations, effigy burnings, and torch marches. On the same day, leaders of the Awami League government-backed student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), who have been accused of hooliganism and terrorism, declared they would deal with the protesters and threatened to 'peel off the skin' of whoever protests.
The first demonstration against the visit of Narendra Modi was held on 19 March 2021, and they have continued since. Bangladesh Police, as well as ruling party-backed organisations Bangladesh Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Bangladesh Awami Swechasebak League, swooped on the protesters, triggering violence and retaliation from the protesters.
On 28 March, after the strike, Hefazat leaders claimed in a press conference that 17 people had died across the country, with around 500 people receiving injuries during the protests. According to their claim, 12 people died in Brahmanbaria, four at Hathazari in Chittagong, and one at the Signboard area in Narayanganj. Local news outlets, however, have reported 14 deaths as of 28 March 2021.
During and after the protests, opposition activists were detained and kept in undisclosed detention. According to the activists, they were tortured in custody. Shakil Uzzaman and Mina Al Mamun, the joint-convenors of Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, were picked up in suspicious circumstances from the capital Dhaka's Savar area on 26 March. On the next day, the joint convenor of Bangladesh Jubo Odhikar Parishad, Nadim Hasan, was abducted from the Lalbagh area by people who identified themselves as police. Two leaders of the same organisation were picked up respectively from Rajshahi and Sylhet, reportedly by law enforcers, and remained untraceable on 28 March. After more than 24 hours of detention at unknown places, Nadim Hasan, Shakil Uzzaman, Mina Al Mamun, and Md Mazharul Islam were placed in court and charged with violence. More than 100 Islamists were arrested by Bangladesh police during 12 April â 19 April over alleged participation in the violence.
To stop the spread of news and cut off communication across the country, the government of Bangladesh blocked Facebook on 26 March, from the afternoon. Facebook in a statement stated that "We are aware that our services have been restricted in Bangladesh." "We're working to understand more and hope to have full access restored as soon as possible," they added.
International rights group Amnesty International termed the Bangladesh government response to the protest as a "Bloody Crackdown" and said, "The Bangladeshi authorities must respect the right to freedom of assembly and protect peaceful protestors."
Twenty eminent citizens of Bangladesh demanded punishment for those responsible for attacking anti-Modi protesters and carrying out violence in Chittagong's Hathazari, in a joint statement. Among them were M Hafizuddin Khan, Ali Imam Majumder, Anu Muhammad, Badiul Alam Majumdar, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Sara Hossain, CR Abrar, Zafrullah Chowdhury, Asif Nazrul, Shahidul Alam, Hasnat Quaiyum, Nur Khan Liton, Shireen Huq, Jakir Hossain, Perween Hasan, Lubna Marium, Sharmeen Murshid, Firdous Azim, Naila Zaman Khan and Rahnuma Ahmed.
Bangladesh's main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party protested the killing of people on the country's Independence Day for protesting the visit of a foreign national. They declared a countrywide demonstration on 29 March and 30 March.
Prominent Hefazat leader Abdual Awal resigned; the decision was said to have been taken due to differences of opinion with other Hefazat leaders during the protests.