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Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A human chain, rally, and procession were held in Satkhira, Bangladesh, to declare lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam 'persona non grata.'
- Participants demanded the cancellation of his parliamentary membership and that he be brought to justice, protesting a viral video involving him.
- Speakers alleged moral failure and questioned his explanations regarding the video and a subsequent marriage claim.
Protesters formed a human chain and held a rally in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, declaring local lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam unwelcome and demanding his removal from parliament. The demonstration, organized by the Conscious Citizens' Society (Swacheton Nagorik Samaj), called for the Jamaat MP's parliamentary membership to be canceled and for him to face justice.
The protest was sparked by a video involving Gazi Nazrul Islam that recently circulated on social media. Speakers at the rally alleged that the video demonstrated his "moral failure," arguing he had no right to remain a member of parliament. They urged Jamaat-e-Islami to expel him from the party and take action to revoke his legislative seat.
Organizers stated that most participants were leaders, activists, and supporters of the BNP. The speakers detailed a timeline of events surrounding the video, noting that the lawmaker initially claimed it was AI-generated but later stated he had married the woman involved on June 17. This claim was contrasted with a bio-data submitted on June 22 that described the woman as unmarried.
Further allegations included another video purportedly showing locals confining the lawmaker and the woman, during which he apologized. Speakers questioned the validity of a marriage deed presented as proof, highlighting that neither party identified the other as husband or wife at the time of the incident. The protesters also accused Gazi Nazrul Islam of falsely claiming to be a freedom fighter and of past involvement in repression, asserting that Jamaat had taken no action against him.
Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.