Pabna, July 25 (V7N) – A brief scuffle broke out between supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami over Jamaat lawmaker Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen leading Friday prayers at a mosque in Santhia upazila of Pabna.
No one was seriously injured in the incident, and police quickly brought the situation under control.
The incident took place inside Aftabnagar Bazar Jame Mosque in Santhia municipality shortly before the Juma prayer on Friday (July 24).
According to police, local residents, party activists and eyewitnesses, MP Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen, representing Pabna-1 (Santhia) constituency, had expressed his intention to lead the Juma prayer at the mosque the previous Friday. However, he could not do so following objections from BNP supporters.
On Friday, when the lawmaker arrived at the mosque, some BNP activists again raised objections during the beginning of the sermon (khutbah). At one stage, a verbal altercation between BNP and Jamaat supporters turned into a physical confrontation inside the mosque.
Police personnel, who had already been deployed due to the possibility of tension, immediately intervened and brought the situation under control. The Friday prayer was later completed under the leadership of the mosque’s designated imam.
Santhia Municipal BNP President Abdul Karim alleged that the Jamaat MP attempted to use the mosque for political influence. He claimed that the lawmaker arrived with supporters and took the microphone from the mosque imam to deliver a speech before announcing that he would lead the khutbah and prayer, which triggered objections from local people.
He further alleged that Jamaat-Shibir and National Citizen Party (NCP) activists then became involved in pushing and physical confrontation, escalating the situation.
However, Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen rejected the allegations, saying he did not go to the mosque to demonstrate political influence but visited following requests from local residents.
The MP said he had avoided attending the previous Friday prayer after concerns that the situation could become tense. He claimed that local people later invited him after assuring him there would be no trouble, but BNP activists created a disturbance during the khutbah.
Calling the incident "unfortunate", Momen alleged that the confrontation was pre-planned and accused BNP leaders of bringing outsiders to create unrest. He also alleged that some of his supporters were assaulted and claimed that a shop belonging to one of his supporters was later attacked and vandalised.
Santhia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Anisur Rahman said police had prior information that tensions could arise over the MP leading the prayer, and officers were deployed accordingly.
"Despite the security measures, a verbal dispute and minor pushing occurred inside the mosque shortly before the prayer. Police immediately intervened and controlled the situation. No one was assaulted or injured," he said.
The OC added that the situation in the area is now completely normal.
