Chhatra dal leader chants ‘Joy Bangla’

A leader of the BNP’s student wing chanted the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’ at an election rally in Chauddagram, Cumilla, triggering widespread criticism after a nine-second video went viral on social media.

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, January 25, at a rally organised by the upazila BNP at the HJ Government Pilot High School ground in Chauddagram. Abir Abdullah Chowdhury chanted the slogan several times while addressing the gathering. BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman was the chief guest at the rally. Abir began chanting before Tarique Rahman took the stage.

Abir Abdullah Chowdhury is the general secretary of Chauddagram upazila Chhatra Dal. He is the son of former Jagannath Dighi Union Parishad chairman Abdullah Chowdhury Pasha. His father is the current president of the Jatiya Party in Chauddagram upazila.

In the viral video, Abir is heard saying, “Even if I die on this stage today, I will say a thousand times from this stage—Joy Bangla, Joy Bangla, Joy Bangla.”

Responding to the controversy, Abir told the media that ‘Joy Bangla’ is not a party slogan but the slogan of Bangladesh’s independence. He claimed that anti-liberation forces were targeting him over the issue.

Since the video went viral, social media users across Chauddagram and the wider Cumilla district have been posting mixed reactions, with some viewing it as respect for the spirit of independence and others linking it to political controversy.