In Bhola’s Daulatkhan Upazila, a violent clash erupted on Tuesday morning between leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami during an event marking the country’s Victory Day. The confrontation, which took place at the Daulatkhan Upazila Stadium, left at least twenty individuals injured, two of whom were admitted to hospital in critical condition.
According to local witnesses, the event had been organised by the Upazila administration to commemorate the historic day. The programme included speeches and other activities, with invitations extended to freedom fighters, families of martyrs, and local leaders from both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Organisers had arranged separate seating for all parties to ensure a peaceful gathering.
At the scheduled time, the district-level leaders of Jamaat, including the Upazila Amir and Secretary, took their assigned seats. Shortly thereafter, BNP activists approached the area and reportedly directed derogatory remarks at the Jamaat leaders, labelling them as “Rajakars,” a term associated with wartime collaborators. What initially began as verbal exchanges quickly escalated into a physical altercation, with both groups engaging in scuffles and eventually throwing chairs at one another.
Jamaat Upazila Secretary Md. Ashraf Uddin stated that his party members had attended the event at the request of the administration and had sat in their designated area. He alleged that BNP leaders, along with members of the party’s youth wing, launched a premeditated attack, injuring at least fifteen Jamaat activists. He also criticised the police and administration for their perceived inaction during the incident.
Conversely, BNP senior vice-president Faruk Hossain contended that the Jamaat’s antagonistic stance against the Liberation War made their presence provocative. He claimed that a minor misunderstanding over seating arrangements triggered the clash, resulting in injuries to five to seven BNP members. Faruk dismissed Jamaat’s accusations as politically motivated attempts to deflect responsibility.
Daulatkhan Police Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam Sikdar noted that the dispute arose primarily from disagreements over seating arrangements and stated that legal action would follow if formal complaints were lodged. The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of administrative oversight in politically sensitive public events and underscores the fragility of communal harmony even on national commemorative occasions.