Khairul Basar protests Nasiruddin Patwari's remarks on Fazlur Rahman

Actor Khairul Basar has strongly protested remarks made about veteran politician, freedom fighter and Member of Parliament Advocate Fazlur Rahman, criticising National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari over comments delivered at a recent political rally.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Wenesday night (July 29), Basar described Patwari as a "disrespectful comedian" and condemned what he termed an insult to a respected public figure.

The controversy erupted after Patwari allegedly referred to Fazlur Rahman as "Fazu Pagla" and described him as the "disgrace of Kishoreganj," while calling for his political identity to be erased.

Reacting to the remarks, Khairul Basar said Fazlur Rahman represents the pride and identity of Kishoreganj, arguing that no outsider has the right to demean a senior political figure held in high regard by local residents.

"Fazlur Rahman is an icon of Kishoreganj. Such disrespect towards a person regarded as a guardian of the district is unacceptable," Basar wrote, questioning how such comments could be directed at a leader of his stature.

Calling Fazlur Rahman a legendary figure of Kishoreganj, the actor also urged political leaders to exercise greater restraint in public discourse.

"Freedom of expression does not justify insulting others for popularity. Enough is enough—it's time to show restraint," he wrote.

Basar further said that if "all the gentlemen of Kishoreganj have disappeared," he would, as a son of the district, publicly condemn what he described as disrespectful behavior.

His statement quickly drew widespread attention on social media, where many users expressed support for his stance, while others offered differing opinions.

Advocate Fazlur Rahman, MP for Kishoreganj-4 (Itna-Mithamain-Astagram) and a senior BNP leader, has long been a prominent figure in national politics. Following the political transition on August 5, 2024, his outspoken television interviews and public speeches sparked extensive debate, with critics mockingly referring to him as "Fazu Pagla."

Rather than rejecting the label, Fazlur Rahman embraced it with humour, saying the word "Pagla" carries positive significance for him, referencing the renowned Pagla Mosque in Kishoreganj.

He recently made headlines in Parliament after arguing that comparing the July Uprising with the Liberation War was inappropriate and diminished the historical significance of Bangladesh's independence struggle.