BNP Protest in Cox’s Bazar: Lutfor Rahman Warns of Taliban-Like State if Extremist Party Gains Power

A massive protest rally by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) took place in Cox’s Bazar today, Sunday, July 20, 2025, along the city’s main road. The demonstration, attended by thousands, was held to protest deteriorating law and order, the killing of a local BNP leader, and derogatory remarks made by a National Citizen Party (NCP) leader against a senior BNP figure.

Lutfor Rahman Kajal, BNP’s Central Fisheries Affairs Secretary and former Member of Parliament for Cox’s Bazar-3 (Sadar, Ramu, and Eidgaon), addressed the rally at the city’s central Shaheed Minar. He stated, “BNP is the people’s party and speaks for the people. If BNP loses, Bangladesh loses. If an extremist party comes to power, Bangladesh will be destroyed, and a Taliban-like state will be established.”

The rally was called in response to multiple issues: derogatory remarks made by NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwary against BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed during an NCP event on Saturday, the murder of a BNP leader in Bhuruakhali, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, allegedly by Jamaat-e-Islami activists, and the worsening law and order situation in the district. By 4 p.m., over 25,000 BNP leaders, activists, and supporters from 25 unions across Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu, and Eidgaon gathered, carrying banners and chanting slogans against NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Criticizing the proposed Proportional Representation (PR) voting system, Lutfor Rahman said, “The PR system will not reflect the people’s will. Voters may cast ballots but won’t know who they’re voting for. It will create a hung parliament and destroy democracy.” He compared parties with little public support to “failing students” who fear elections due to the risk of losing, accusing them of conspiring to undermine the electoral process and deprive people of their voting rights. Addressing the NCP’s remarks, Lutfor Rahman condemned Nasiruddin Patwary’s statement at the July march, where he referred to Salahuddin Ahmed as a “new godfather from Shillong,” likening him to Narayanganj’s Shamim Osman. “We vacated the field for NCP’s event, yet their leader insulted a senior BNP figure. We demand Patwary withdraw his remarks, or BNP will not be responsible for disruptions at NCP’s future programs in Cox’s Bazar,” he warned, noting that the comment had angered BNP supporters and Cox’s Bazar residents. The protests were also fueled by the July 13 killing of Rahim Sikder, Joint General Secretary of the local BNP unit in Bhuruakhali’s Panichhara Battali Bazar. In a press conference, Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila BNP Convener Abdul Mabud alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdullah Al Noman led the attack with local weapons. Lutfor Rahman claimed the murder was driven by political vendetta to weaken BNP, noting that Noman, once associated with Awami League MP Saimum Sarwar Kamal, had ties to the Awami League. Highlighting the deteriorating law and order, Lutfor Rahman urged the formation of peace and development committees in every village, neighborhood, and ward of Cox’s Bazar-3 to ensure social security. He instructed BNP leaders to take steps toward this goal. The rally, chaired by Cox’s Bazar Municipal BNP Convener Rafikul Huda Chowdhury, featured speeches by Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila BNP Convener Subedar Major (Retd.) Abdul Mabud, City BNP Member Secretary Abul Kashem, City Jubo Dal Convener Azizul Haque, and Rahim Sikder’s elder brother, Bhuruakhali Union BNP President and former UP Chairman Shafiqur Rahman Sikder. After the rally, a large procession led by Lutfor Rahman marched five kilometers from the Shaheed Minar to Khurushkul Rastamatha, with participants chanting slogans against NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami.