A shocking incident of lawlessness and brutal violence has struck Rajshahi, where a local BNP leader was beaten to death in a senseless act of intra-party infighting. This tragic event underscores the dangerous consequences of unchecked factionalism, personal rivalries and the abuse of power within political circles.
On Friday night in Charghat upazila’s Yusufpur Union, Sipahipara village, 65-year-old Ershad Aliโa member (and in some reports, vice-president) of the Yusufpur Union BNP and a known supporter of local MP and District BNP Convenor Abu Sayeed Chandโwas ambushed and fatally assaulted.
The attack stemmed from a petty dispute over who should be invited as the chief guest at a local Islamic gathering (mahfil). One faction reportedly favoured former district Jubo Dal convener Anwar Hossain Ujjwal, while Ershad Ali and his supporters advocated for MP Abu Sayeed Chand. Tensions had previously escalated over the same issue, leading to a postponement of the event and injuries to several people months earlier.
After Taraweeh prayers, as Ershad Ali was returning home, a group allegedly aligned with the rival faction blocked his path and brutally beat him with sticks and guava tree branches. He succumbed to his injuries either at the scene or shortly after being taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His family was left in grief, captured in distressing images of their mourning.
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Senior journalist and political analyst Probir Kumar Sarker said that such acts of mob violence have no place in a civilised society. This murder is a stark example of how factional ego, the pursuit of influence, and the willingness to resort to criminal force can destroy lives and tarnish an entire political organisation.
Resorting to lethal brutality over something as trivial as event invitations reveals a profound breakdown in discipline, respect for law, and basic humanity. Political differences must be resolved through dialogue, democratic processes, and legal channelsโnot through intimidation, assaults, or murder.
The perpetrators must be swiftly identified, arrested, and brought to justice with the harshest possible punishment to serve as a deterrent. As MP Abu Sayeed Chand rightly stated, those responsibleโregardless of their affiliationsโshould face exemplary legal consequences. Law enforcement, including police who have already visited the scene and planned a post-mortem, must conduct a thorough, impartial investigation without favoritism.
This tragedy is a wake-up call for all political parties, especially the BNP, to urgently address internal divisions and enforce zero tolerance for violence, journalist Probir said. No ambition for influence or control justifies lawlessness. The rule of law must prevail over muscle power, or such barbaric incidents will continue to erode public trust and claim more innocent lives.
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