Rangpur, Oct 26 (V7N)- The Jatiya Party (JaPa) organized a protest rally in Rangpur yesterday in opposition to the planned visit of Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, prominent figures of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The protest procession began at JaPa's Central Road office, with participants marching through the main streets carrying bamboo sticks, ultimately gathering at Payra Square for the rally.

JaPa Co-Chairman and former Rangpur mayor, Md Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa, expressed frustration at the rally, stating that JaPa was originally included in the first round of reform discussions with the chief adviser. However, he added that the party was unexpectedly excluded from the next round, allegedly due to remarks made by Hasnat and Sarjis. "Why would the government make such a decision based on the words of two students? This treatment of JaPa is unfair," Mostafizur remarked, noting that law and order in the area remains unsettled.

The visit was set for a discussion between Hasnat, Sarjis, and students at Begum Rokeya University at 3 pm, though Hasnat did not appear in Rangpur. JaPa had earlier, on October 14, declared both Hasnat and Sarjis "persona non grata" in Rangpur until they retract their statements about the party.

Formation of Hindu Wing of Jamaat-e-Islami in Rangpur

In a separate development, a new committee for the Hindu wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was established in Pirgachha, Rangpur. Bhavesh Chandra Barman, an assistant professor at Mirzapur Degree College, was appointed president, while Bijon Chandra Das, a medicine trader, was designated general secretary. This formation was announced during a discussion meeting at the Upazila Jamaat office with local Hindu community members.

Tapas Chandra Roy of Devi Chowdhurani Degree College was appointed vice president, Kisamat Jhinia as assistant secretary, Sudharanjan Barman as president of the Sanatan Sangha, and Prabash Chandra Barman, an assistant teacher at Deuty School and College, as treasurer. Abdur Jabbar, Sadar Union's Jamaat ameer, officially announced the committee, and Hafez Idris Ali, Union Jamaat’s organizational secretary, conducted the meeting.

END/MSS/RH