In connection with the widely discussed food incident in Amtali, Barguna, the Upazila BNP has issued a show-cause notice to Mahbub Kazi, member of Gulishakhali Union BNP and president of Ward No. 9 BNP.
The notice, signed by Upazila BNP Senior Joint Convener Zahirul Islam Mamun (VP) and Member Secretary Tuhin Mridha, was issued Thursday night. He has been asked to appear in person and submit a written explanation by September 20.
Meanwhile, allegations have been raised that Union BNP Convener and Additional Public Prosecutor of Barguna District and Sessions Judge Court Adv Jasim Uddin arranged a superficial arbitration meeting, ignoring instructions from the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. The allegation was made by Madrasa Principal Maulana Md. Ali Hossain.
It is reported that on September 11, the newly formed committee of Gulishakhali N.M.M. Amjadia Alia Madrasa held its first meeting. On this occasion, the madrasa authorities arranged lunch for 50 invited guests. However, in protest at not being invited, Union Sramik Dal President Ripon Kazi and Ward BNP President Mahbub Kazi, along with 30–35 BNP activists, stormed into the madrasa, ate all the food, and spoiled the rest.
Principal Maulana Ali Hossain alleged that before the committee formation, Union BNP Convener Jasim Uddin had instructed him to appoint a particular individual as president. When that did not happen, he orchestrated the incident through his associates as an act of revenge. After the incident, Ripon Kazi even posted photos of himself eating the food on social media. The images quickly went viral and drew widespread condemnation.
In an attempt to cover up the matter, on Wednesday afternoon Union BNP Convener Advocate Jasim Uddin and Acting UP Chairman Md. Faruk Akon went to the madrasa and held an arbitration meeting. They asked the principal to settle the matter, but he left the meeting in protest.
Advocate Jasim Uddin, however, denied the allegation, saying he had only gone there at the request of madrasa president Md. Fazlul Haque and that the accusations against him were completely false.
Upazila BNP Member Secretary Tuhin Mridha said, “Mahbub Kazi has tarnished the party’s image by creating disorder at the madrasa. For this reason, he has been show-caused. If he fails to respond within the specified time, organizational and legal action will be taken.”
