BNP Official Halts School Ceremony Over Invitation Dispute

In a distressing display of local political interference, an SSC examinees’ farewell ceremony at a secondary school in Sreepur, Gazipur, was abruptly terminated on Sunday, 20th April 2026. The incident, which has sparked widespread condemnation after footage emerged on social media, allegedly involved a former local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) who took offence at receiving a verbal invitation rather than a formal written one.

Chaos at Bashbari High School

The incident unfolded at approximately 12:00 PM within the premises of Bashbari High School. As students gathered to commemorate the conclusion of their secondary education, Sanwar Hossain Awal—the former General Secretary of the Ward No. 1 BNP for Gazipur Union—arrived with a group of supporters.

According to eyewitnesses and school staff, the atmosphere shifted from celebratory to confrontational within minutes. The group allegedly engaged in abusive behaviour, disrupted the proceedings, and physically seized the microphone from the headmaster. In an escalatory move, the perpetrators reportedly locked the headmaster’s office, effectively bringing all school administrative functions to a standstill.

Allegations of Verbal vs. Written Protocol

The Headmaster of Bashbari High School, Sanwar Uddin, provided a detailed account of the ordeal. He noted that the primary grievance cited by Awal was a perceived lack of respect regarding the invitation protocol.

“While the ceremony was in progress, Awal and roughly 10 to 15 associates stormed the venue,” the Headmaster remarked. “They were incensed that they had been invited verbally rather than through a formal written letter. The situation became terrifying for the students, many of whom were reduced to tears as the microphone was snatched away and my office was padlocked.”

Conflicting Narratives and Denials

In the wake of the viral video, Sanwar Hossain Awal has publicly denied the specific allegations of locking the office or using profanity. He offered an alternative explanation for his presence at the school, claiming he was acting on behalf of concerned parents.

“I am not involved in locking any doors or abusive conduct,” Awal countered. “I visited the school because several parents complained about irregular fees related to the distribution of SSC admit cards. I merely sought clarification from the headmaster regarding these charges.”

However, school officials and local witnesses maintain that the “fee dispute” narrative was a secondary justification used only after the initial outburst regarding the invitation protocol had already caused significant disruption.

Educational Authorities Vow Action

The disruption has prompted an immediate response from the Sreepur Upazila Secondary Education Office. Speaking on the matter, Education Officer Saiful Islam condemned the interference of external political actors in school functions.

“We have initiated an inquiry into the events at Bashbari High School,” Islam stated. “We have requested the headmaster to provide a comprehensive list of those involved. Once the identities are formally verified, we will take strict legal and administrative action to ensure such an environment of fear is never repeated in our educational institutions.”

A Shortened Farewell

Following the initial fracas, local community elders intervened to mediate the dispute. The lock on the headmaster’s office was eventually removed, allowing for a severely truncated version of the farewell ceremony to proceed. What was intended to be a day of joyful reflection was reduced to a hurried, one-hour event held under a lingering shadow of intimidation.

As of Tuesday morning, the Gazipur district administration is reportedly monitoring the situation closely, as parents demand greater security for students during the upcoming examination period to prevent further political grandstanding.