Police Officer Restricts Leisure Activities During Ramadan

A significant controversy has erupted in Kushtia after a video surfaced on social media depicting a police official ordering the suspension of television broadcasts and carrom matches at a local bazaar during the holy month of Ramadan. The incident, which occurred at the Patikabari Bazaar in Kushtia Sadar, has ignited a fierce debate regarding the boundaries of personal liberty and the enforcement of religious observance by state officials.

An Unauthorised Mandate

The footage, captured on Friday, 20 December 2025, shows Mashiul Azam, the In-charge of the Patikabari Police Camp under the Islamic University (IU) Police Station, addressing shopkeepers in plain clothes. He was accompanied at the time by the local Member of Parliament, Amir Hamza.

In the video, Officer Azam is seen reprimanding a tea-stall owner upon spotting a carrom game in progress. “I previously instructed the market committee that during the month of Tarawih, no carrom or television shall be permitted. Why is this still running?” he is heard saying, while gesturing sternly towards the players. MP Amir Hamza added his own counsel, reminding the crowd that Ramadan is a month of devotion and that such activities should at least be avoided during prayer times.

Official Disavowal and Conflicting Accounts

Despite the officer’s claim that he was acting on “orders from higher authorities,” the senior leadership of the Kushtia District Police has been quick to distance the force from his remarks. Jasim Uddin, the Superintendent of Police (SP) for Kushtia, clarified that no such administrative directive exists.

Impact on Local Commerce

Following the officer’s intervention, the atmosphere at Patikabari Bazaar has reportedly grown somber. By Saturday evening, the usually bustling market was largely quiet, with many vendors choosing to close early or operate behind half-drawn shutters. One tea-seller, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted that while he had kept his television on, he had felt compelled to dismantle his carrom board to avoid legal repercussions, despite the lack of a formal written ban.

Local Union Parishad member, Kashem, voiced the frustration of the community’s youth, noting that carrom is a staple social activity. “While gambling is unacceptable, simple recreation is necessary for young people. Even local representatives occasionally participate,” he remarked, suggesting that such unilateral bans are counterproductive.

As the video continues to circulate, the Kushtia police administration faces pressure to clarify whether disciplinary action will be taken against the officer for overstepping his legal mandate and imposing personal religious views as state policy.