BNP blames Jamaat after clashes shut down centuries-old fair in Kushtia

The “Gazi Kalu-Champabati Mela”, a 150-year-old rural fair in Kushtia’s Kumarkhali Upazila, has been shut down in the wake of violent clashes and vandalism.

The clashes, reportedly involving supporters of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islam, left at least 11 people from both sides, police said.

The BNP blamed Jamaat for the violence, but Jamaat denied the accusations.

The incident took place on Tuesday evening at Hogla Chapai Gachhi market in Jagannathpur Union.

Following the clashes, the Upazila administration ordered the closure of the fair, Kumarkhali Police Station chief (OC) Md Solaiman Sheikh said.

Those injured include Jamaat’s local leader and General Secretary of the Jagannathpur Union Ulama Parishad Habibul Rahman, who is also the principal of Mohendrapur Alim Madrasa.

Others injured were identified as Kuddus Pramanik, 70, Tuhin Hossain, Jihad Hossain, Jamat Ali, and Yunus Ali.

They received treatment at Kumarkhali Upazila Health Complex.

On the BNP side, those injured include Sarafat Sultan, a lecturer at Khoksha Government College, Tipu Sultan, an assistant teacher at Bakhai Secondary School, Sukur Sheikh, Md Sharif and Asakur Rahman.

They were admitted to Kushtia General Hospital.

Local residents said the fair is organised annually by the community despite opposition from Jamaat members, who raised concerns about drug use, gambling, and obscenity at the event.

Though the administration did not grant permission, the BNP leaders started the fair on May 17.

The fair attracted numerous shops and featured continuous traditional music performances lasting seven days. The event usually runs for 15 to 20 days.

Tensions between the two political camps flared on Tuesday afternoon, culminating in running battles, stone pelting and clashes by evening.

Local teacher Kabirul Islam said Jamaat members opposed the fair due to alleged morally reprehensible activities, including gambling. Despite lacking official approval, the BNP supporters went ahead with the fair, which triggered the conflict.

A local shopkeeper said hundreds of Jamaat activists armed with locally made weapons attacked, vandalised over 30 shops, and looted goods.

Videos of the clashes are circulating on social media, he added.

Asked about the allegations, Jamaat leader Habibul said the fair was not approved “due to obscenity and gambling”.

He added that Jamaat members were attacked with weapons when they tried to inquire about the event, resulting in injuries to himself and Afzal Hossain, deputy leader of Jamaat’s Kumarkhali Upazila unit.

Sarafat, speaking on behalf of the fair organisers, accused Jamaat activists of launching a sudden attack, causing damage and losses to shopkeepers.

He said Jamaat had earlier tried to stop the event by other means but failed.

Sarafat claimed Jamaat now had support to shut down the fair and made “false allegations” to the administration.

He added, “This fair has been held for a hundred years. We took on the challenge to organise it.”

OC Solaiman said there was tension over the unauthorised fair which led to the conflict and injuries.

He added no formal complaint has been filed yet, and parties have reportedly reached a mutual understanding.