Md Shahriar Mahmud Swadhin, who served as member secretary of the Bagatipara upazila unit of Chhatra Dal, faced disciplinary action after the footage attracted widespread attention and sparked criticism within local political circles.
The Natore district Chhatra Dal approved his expulsion on Wednesday (21 October), citing specific allegations of violating organisational discipline.
Asif Iqbal, office secretary of the district Chhatra Dal, confirmed the decision.
According to district Chhatra Dal sources, the disciplinary action was taken following allegations that Swadhin had engaged in conduct inconsistent with the organisation’s rules and standards.
The decision was formally approved by Natore district Chhatra Dal president Md Kamrul Islam and general secretary Md Maruf Islam Srijon.
The controversy emerged after a video purportedly showing Swadhin consuming drugs began circulating widely on social media. Its appearance prompted discussions and criticism among people involved in local politics, placing the Chhatra Dal leader’s conduct under scrutiny.
The footage became the central issue surrounding the allegations against Swadhin, eventually leading the district leadership to take organisational action.
District Chhatra Dal sources maintained that the expulsion was based on specific allegations of disciplinary misconduct. The organisation linked its decision to the controversy generated by the circulating video.
However, the available report did not specify when or where the footage was recorded. Its authenticity has not been independently established, and no detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident was provided.
Swadhin’s response to the allegations was also unavailable in the original report. It remains unclear whether he was asked to explain his conduct or given an opportunity to defend himself before the disciplinary decision was approved.
The incident has drawn attention to questions of accountability and discipline within student political organisations, particularly when allegations concern individuals holding leadership positions.
Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), operates through organisational units at different administrative levels, including districts and upazilas. Leaders holding positions within these structures are expected to follow the organisation’s disciplinary requirements.
Allegations involving office-bearers can create difficulties for political organisations, especially when controversial material circulates publicly and attracts criticism.
In such circumstances, internal disciplinary decisions may be taken to address alleged misconduct. Those decisions, however, are separate from any legal determination concerning the underlying allegations.
In Swadhin’s case, the district leadership has confirmed his removal from the organisational post, but the available information does not establish whether any law enforcement investigation has been initiated over the alleged drug consumption.
No details have been provided about possible additional disciplinary measures or whether Swadhin intends to challenge the decision.
For now, the confirmed development is his expulsion from the position of member secretary of the Bagatipara upazila Chhatra Dal, following the controversy over the widely circulated video.
The district organisation has identified alleged violations of discipline as the basis for its action, while questions surrounding the video’s authenticity and the circumstances of its recording remain unanswered.
