A scuffle erupted between the leaders and activists of BNP and Jamaat in Natudah union of Damurhuda upazila in Chuadanga after the name of former President Ziaur Rahman was reportedly omitted during an Independence Day programme.
The incident took place on Thursday morning at a government-organised event attended by the local MP of Chuadanga-2 and senior administrative officials.
BNP activists raised objections when Ziaur Rahman’s name was not mentioned during the programme.
Eyewitnesses said that the disagreement escalated from a verbal argument to a brief physical altercation. BNP activists reportedly confronted a religious teacher from Natudah High School, who was hosting the programme, while Jamaat activists intervened, leading to the scuffle between the two groups.
At one point, Natudah union Jamat amir Shamsuzzohah and the brother of the local BNP president, Shamsul, exchanged heated words.
Damurhuda upazila Jamaat leaders Naib Ali and Secretary Md Titon said they tried to maintain calm from the start and had no intention of creating conflict.
They called the incident unfortunate and noted that such situations during national celebrations could create fear among the public.
Rafiqul Hasan Tanu, general secretary of Damurhuda upazila BNP, alleged that political parties were not consulted before the event.
He claimed repeated requests to announce Ziaur Rahman’s name were ignored, angering BNP activists. He also said BNP leaders were neither properly invited nor shown due respect during the programme.
Damurhuda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Obaidullah Rahman Sahel described the incident as regrettable but clarified that the official programme included flag hoisting, floral tributes, and prayers.
“There was no formal requirement to announce names,” he said, adding that the event’s purpose was to honor the martyrs of the Independence War.
The situation was eventually resolved with intervention from Chuadanga-2 MP and district Jamaat amir Advocate Ruhul Amin.
Ziaur Rahman’s name was later mentioned, and a brief account of his life was shared during the programme.
Hossain Malik/MHK