Staff Reporter: Clashes erupted between two groups in New York over the death anniversary of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. Since the announcement of the Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee instead of the main committee of the United States BNP, there has been extreme disunity and tension in the United States BNP instead of unity. As a result, clashes took place in front of BNP central leaders last Saturday (May 29) while celebrating Ziaur Rahman’s death anniversary.
The BNP has not had a committee in the United States for 9 years. The controversy has more than doubled since the sudden announcement of the Committee to Celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Independence. In the last one month, bitterness has also increased among the leaders and workers within the party. In the last few days, various groups have announced to hold reciprocal programs.
On the occasion of the death anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman, a discussion meeting and prayers were organized at the Palaki Party Center in Jackson Heights, New York on Saturday under the banner of the United States BNP. The chief guest was BNP central co-international secretary and popular vocalist Baby Nazneen. The keynote speaker was Helal Khan, central general secretary of the Nationalist Socio-Cultural Organization (JASAS) and central executive member of the BNP.
At the end of the ceremony, the leaders and activists of the two warring factions got into a fight in front of the two leaders. BNP leader and freedom fighter Mashiur Rahman has been physically assaulted by some leaders and activists. There was a commotion at the venue. Baby Nazneen tried to calm the situation but failed. At that time, he was seen to speak harshly even though she was intent on it.
The US BNP committee was dissolved almost a decade ago due to a leadership dispute. Since then, the leaders and workers have not been united. No committee has been set up by the Center to this day. As a result, ordinary leaders and workers became inactive. Later, a committee of 501 members was announced on April 12 on the initiative of M A Salam, advisor to the party chairperson and central member secretary of the Subarna Jayanti celebration committee.
But the omission of many leaders and workers from this committee created a stalemate. The United States BNP was divided into several groups. Iftar mahfil is held alternately during Ramadan. On the 40th death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman, at least eight programs were announced under the banner of the United States BNP. Two separate events were held under the banner of United States BNP on Saturday. Two more events are scheduled for Sunday, local time. Besides, there will be several programs on Monday under the banner of United States BNP and its affiliates.
Convener of the Subarna Jayanti Celebration Committee Zillur Rahman Zillur and Member Secretary Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan Milton and other leaders went to invite the leaders and workers to the function on Sunday at the Palki Center on Saturday. But on this occasion a mild argument was first made between the supporters of the two groups. Later there was a commotion. At one stage, Mashiur Rahman, a freedom fighter, was physically assaulted by Alamgir Hossain. When Alamgir Hossain pushed hard, Mashiur Rahman fell down and got injured. Later other leaders and activists tried to stop them. Baby Nazneen failed to urge everyone to stay calm. Angry Mashiur Rahman even noticed him at one stage and insulted him. He blamed the Centre’s “naked intervention” for the US-led dispute.
Asked about this to Baby Nazneen, the chief guest of the event, he said it was a misunderstanding. He said that BNP is a big party. He thinks that this is the main reason for multiple events.
BP/SM
