As part of its countrywide campaign, the unregistered political party National Citizens’ Party (NCP) held a rally in Kishoreganj town on 26 July. However, the event has drawn significant criticism on social media following allegations that the party hired individuals from a nearby madrasa to compensate for the lack of public turnout.
Photos circulating on Facebook show that many participants at the rally were young boys wearing traditional Islamic caps and madrasa uniforms, reinforcing claims that attendees were hired from religious institutions, rather than genuine political supporters.
Major Concerns Raised:
| Issue | Details |
| Lack of Authentic Crowd | Locals allege that due to poor turnout, students were hired from Jamia Islamia Madrasa. |
| Use of Madrasa Children | Concerns raised over the unethical use of minors for political demonstrations. |
| Traffic Disruption | The rally caused severe disruption as it was held at a major intersection in the town. |
| Poor Choice of Venue | Despite the availability of multiple open fields, the event was held on a key public road. |
| Public Inconvenience | Access to the main wholesale market, Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College, and 250-bed hospital was blocked. |
The rally took place at the ‘Puran Thana’ junction, a key intersection connecting three major roads in Kishoreganj town. The location is a critical artery for citizens travelling to markets, hospitals, and educational institutions. As a result, traffic was paralysed for most of the day, causing widespread public distress.
Despite the existence of alternative venues such as Gurudayal College Field, Khan College Ground, and two large stadiums, the NCP chose to occupy a main thoroughfare, raising questions about organisational intent and authorisation procedures.
Eyewitness Reactions:
A local shopkeeper, requesting anonymity, said:
“The main access road to the market was blocked for hours. The entire town came to a standstill from noon till evening. Why hold a political rally in the middle of a busy road when there are so many open spaces?”
Analysts and Civil Society Opinions:
Local political analysts criticised the rally, stating it was irresponsible and disruptive for an unregistered political group to host such an event in the heart of the town. Some observers believe the rally’s central location was a deliberate strategy by NCP to project political clout, even if artificially inflated.
Members of the civil society have also expressed concern over the role of the local administration. According to them, granting permission for a rally on such a congested and sensitive road was unjustifiable and against public interest.
The incident continues to stir debate, not only about political ethics and crowd manipulation, but also about how authorities regulate rallies in urban spaces. Critics argue that vulnerable students should never be exploited for political gain, and public inconvenience must be minimised in any democratic expression.
