BNP-Jamaat clash over ‘vote for Jamaat, get Jannat’ remark

A clash broke out between leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP over a remark claiming that “voting for Jamaat will lead to Jannat (paradise)” in Lalmohan upazila of Bhola. At least 30 people were injured from both sides.

The incident occurred around 8:00 pm in Raychandbazar area of Ramaganj Union, Lalmohan Upazila on Friday (9 January).

The injured were treated at Lalmohan Upazila Health Complex, Bhola District Hospital, and other local medical facilities.

Eyewitnesses said that after the remark was made in the evening, verbal arguments and scuffles broke out between the two groups, which escalated into a full clash. Both sides threw bricks on the under-construction road near Raychandbazar for about an hour.

Navy personnel arrived at the scene to control the situation. One group attempted to attack a navy vehicle during the clash,. Among the injured, 9–10 were admitted to hospitals, while the rest received local treatment.

Nizamul Haque, BNP-supported parliamentary candidate and Secretary General of the Bangladesh Development Party (BDP), held a press conference at the Lalmohan Upazila Jamaat office, demanding proper investigation and justice at 9:00 pm. District Jamaat leaders, including Amir Abdul Haque and Secretary General Ruhul Amin, were present.

Nizamul Haque alleged that after a meeting of female Jamaat activists in Raychandbazar, a female leader was harassed by BNP worker Rubel, which triggered the tension.

He claimed that while heading to the Jamaat office with 30–40 supporters, over 200 BNP activists attacked them from behind, starting the clash. He stated that at least 15 Jamaat members were injured.

Upazila BNP President Md. Zafar Iqbal said the unrest began because Jamaat leaders were spreading propaganda with the remark “vote for Jamaat, get paradise.”

He added that he tried to calm the situation and mediate between the two sides, but another clash later injured 15–16 BNP activists. He denied the allegations of leading the attack and said a written complaint would be submitted to the Returning Officer and police.

Lalmohan Thana Officer-in-Charge (OC) Oliul Islam said the clash arose from a dispute between Jamaat and BNP, adding that tension spread over the remark, though its truth could not be verified. Both groups gathered people in the market, and bricks kept for road repair were thrown at each other, injuring at least 9.

No one has filed a written complaint yet, and no arrests have been made from the scene, the OC added.