State Minister kicks BNP activist, then calls to apologise as controversy grows

State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Division Md Rajib Ahsan called a BNP activist to apologise a day after kicking him during a party procession in Dhaka, the activist has told Daily Waadaa.

The incident, first verified and reported by Waadaa on November 8, has triggered criticism on social media and caused embarrassment within the ruling BNP and the government.

But the activist, Shafiqul Islam Shafik, has defended his leader, saying the state minister was trying to maintain discipline during the procession.

Speaking to Waadaa on Thursday evening, Shafik said the incident occurred on November 7, when the BNP organised a procession to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

“The procession was underway, and many of us were trying to take photographs. This disrupted discipline somewhat. He repeatedly told us to stop before kicking me,” Shafik said.

Asked whether Rajib had apologised, he said the state minister called him on November 8 and expressed regret.

Rajib, who is also general secretary of the Swechchhasebak Dal, the BNP's volunteer wing, has faced criticism since a 10-second video of the incident began circulating on Facebook.

The procession, led by Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, began outside the party's central office in Naya Paltan and ended at Manik Mia Avenue.

Embarrassment within government

The incident has caused discomfort among members of the government.

“A state minister treating his own activist this way is embarrassing for both the party and the government,” a fellow state minister told Waadaa, requesting anonymity.

Nazrul Islam Noman, former general secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan South Swechchhasebak Dal, said the behaviour was unexpected.

“This is not something one would expect from Rajib bhai. He was once president of the Chhatra Dal. Perhaps he did it subconsciously,” Noman said.

Asked whether the BNP was considering disciplinary action, party Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu declined to comment.

Activist defends minister

Shafik, an activist of the Lalbagh unit of the Swechchhasebak Dal, said he began his political activities during the One-Eleven period in 2007 and has been associated with the organisation for the past decade.

He claimed that three cases were filed against him during the previous Awami League government.

Despite being kicked in public, Shafik appeared reluctant to criticise Rajib.

He said his family had advised him to be careful following the incident.

His account suggests that he regards the kick as an attempt by a senior leader to enforce discipline rather than a personal assault.

From viral video to verified report

The controversy began when a blurry, 10-second video circulated on Facebook on November 8.

Several BNP-supporting social media pages dismissed the footage as AI-generated.

Waadaa examined the video and traced the incident using a Swechchhasebak Dal banner visible in the background.

The newsroom subsequently obtained confirmation from two senior leaders of the organisation's Dhaka North unit, establishing that the incident had taken place.

Rajib's mobile phone remained switched off from the afternoon of November 8, preventing Waadaa from obtaining his response at the time.

—