State Minister for Bridges Rajib Ahsan has come under criticism after a video circulating on social media showed him apparently kicking a fellow political activist during the BNP's Revolution and Solidarity Day celebrations in Dhaka on November 7.

Multiple sources within the BNP's volunteer wing, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, confirmed to Daily Waadaa that the incident took place and that the person kicked was a member of the organisation's Lalbagh committee.

The incident occurred during a large procession marking the anniversary, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attending the BNP programme alongside party leaders, activists and supporters.

The video, reviewed by Waadaa, appears to show Rajib kicking an individual amid the gathering. What prompted the confrontation remains unclear.

Sheikh Farid Uddin, a leader of Swechchhasebak Dal's Dhaka North unit, told Waadaa that he was present at the scene and confirmed the incident.

Farid defended the action, saying a senior party colleague could discipline a junior colleague to maintain organisational order.

He confirmed that the person kicked was a Swechchhasebak Dal member but did not immediately identify him or disclose his position in the organisation.

A central committee organising secretary of Swechchhasebak Dal separately acknowledged that an untoward incident had occurred during the procession while efforts were being made to maintain party discipline.

He confirmed that the person kicked belonged to the organisation's Lalbagh committee.

Waadaa traced the incident through a Swechchhasebak Dal banner visible in the footage and contacted several officials associated with the state minister's office.

Rajib's private secretary, Selim Ahmed, said he had watched the viral video but declined to discuss the matter further.

His personal assistant, Moloy Kumar Biswas, said he had heard about the footage but had not watched it or discussed the incident with the state minister.

Another personal assistant, Abdullah Al Mamun, confirmed that Rajib attended the November 7 programme. He said he had heard about the incident but had not witnessed it.

Waadaa made repeated attempts to contact Rajib for comment on Sunday. His mobile phone was switched off when reporters tried to reach him after 1 pm.

The state minister could not be reached for his account of the incident.

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