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Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have been accused of assaulting and forcibly removing several July uprising fighters from a programme marking July Mass Uprising Day in Shariatpur.
The alleged incident took place at around 10:30 am on Wednesday at the Shariatpur Municipality auditorium. Videos purportedly showing the altercation have since circulated widely on social media.
According to eyewitnesses and the alleged victims, the district administration had organised a reception and discussion for the families of those killed during the July uprising and recognised July fighters.
They alleged that shortly after several July fighters arrived at the venue, BNP leaders and activists, led by Mahbub Morshed Tipu, general secretary of Sadar Upazila BNP, confronted them. The victims claim they were assaulted and forced to leave the programme.
Among those allegedly assaulted was Jakir Hossain Mintu, a government-recognised July fighter, who claimed he was physically attacked and injured. Imran Al Nazir, former convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Shariatpur, also alleged that he was assaulted and expelled from the venue.
Following the incident, July fighters, activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement staged a protest.
Videos shared on social media appear to show several individuals, including Mahbub Morshed Tipu, pushing and physically confronting Jakir Hossain Mintu, Imran Al Nazir and others. One video also appears to show another July fighter, Jakir Hossain Adar, being slapped outside the auditorium.
Speaking to reporters, Mintu alleged that he was attacked despite being officially recognised as a July fighter after a government verification process.
“We joined the programme, but BNP activists suddenly created chaos. They assaulted me and several others and forced us out. Had others not intervened, they might have killed me,” he claimed.
Imran Al Nazir alleged that the assault took place in the presence of government officials.
“The administration remained silent while we were being attacked. We demand justice,” he said.
Rejecting the allegations, Mahbub Morshed Tipu said an argument broke out after NCP activists allegedly made derogatory remarks about BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and his family.
“The BNP made the greatest contribution to the July uprising. Even the Jamaat-e-Islami chief acknowledged that the master plan of the uprising was Tarique Rahman’s,” he said.
“They came to the programme and again made offensive remarks. After a heated exchange, we asked them to leave,” he added.
The alleged victims accused the administration of failing to intervene despite being present at the venue.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Tanvir Hossain, who was present at the event, declined to comment and left the venue when approached by journalists.
District Commissioner Tahsina Begum said the official programme concluded peacefully.
“We completed the programme without any disruption. We have received the allegation and will look into it. The incident may have occurred before the formal programme began,” she said.
