Slogan chanting by NCP leaders, activists at Shahjalal shrine triggers backlash in Sylhet
The incident triggered criticism in Sylhet, with many saying slogans had never previously been raised inside the shrine premises, which is considered a sacred place visited by people of all faiths
Controversy has arisen after leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) chanted slogans at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) in Sylhet yesterday night (4 March) during a visit by the party's central leaders.
NCP Convener Nahid Islam, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, and Chief Organiser (north) Sarjis Alam were in Sylhet to attend the party's divisional iftar programme and later went to the Shahjalal shrine at night to offer Tarabi prayers, where party activists gathered.
At one stage, Sarjis Alam reportedly climbed onto the roof of the women's prayer area and began chanting slogans- "Inqilab Inqilab, Zindabad Zindabad", "Nara-e-Takbir, Allahu Akbar", "Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka Dhaka", "Dalali na Rajpath, Rajpath Rajpath", "Aposh na Songram, Songram Songram", "Golami na Azadi, Azadi Azadi", "Diyechi to rokto, aro debo rokto", "Rokter bonnay, bhese jabe onnay", "Juge juge lore jabo, amra shobai Hadi hobo", "Tumi ke ami ke, Hadi Hadi", which others joined.
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The incident triggered criticism in Sylhet, with many saying slogans had never previously been raised inside the shrine premises, which is considered a sacred place visited by people of all faiths.
Sylhet district BNP Deputy Office Secretary Mahbub Alam said raising slogans inside the shrine cannot be considered proper political conduct, while civic activist Abdul Karim Kim said the behaviour was contrary to the etiquette of a Sufi shrine.
Responding to the criticism, NCP Sylhet city Convener Md Abdur Rahman Afzal described the incident as spontaneous, saying the leaders had gone there to offer prayers and pay respects and that there had been no prior plan to chant slogans.
He added that religious sites are spiritually significant and everyone should remain cautious in the future to avoid misunderstandings.
