Gopalganj erupts in protest over Khaleda rant

Residents of Gopalganj are incensed with Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia’s threat to change the name of the district.

Socio-cultural organisations and political parties including ruling Awami League and its affiliates took out processions one after another in the district on Sunday evening after Khaleda’s remarks in the afternoon.

Protest rallies and procession also took place at Tungiparha, Kotaliparha, Moqsudpur and Kashiani Upazila.

Having failed to leave her house to go to Dhaka’s Naya Paltan on Sunday, where the BNP was supposed to hold a rally after the ‘March for democracy’ programme, the BNP Chairperson spoke with police and mediapersons for nearly 10 minutes.

She scolded police officials while speaking to reporters.

Khaleda was particularly furious with a woman police officer, apparently hailing from Gopalganj.

Addressing her, she said, “Hey you, woman, why are you silent now? Say what you have been saying until now? Why are you mum now?

“Where are you from, ‘Gopali’ (from Gopalganj)? Will change the name of Gopalganj, understand? Gopalganj will not exist any longer.”

Speakers at a rally held by Bangladesh Chhatra League at the district’s Chaurangi in the evening said the Leader of the Opposition must apologise for making ‘indecent remarks’ about Gopalganj.

Awami League Presidium member and local MP Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim said, “No one can change the name of this district following her wish, rather her name will be removed.”

He also urged the people of Gopalganj to vote for ‘boat’ (electoral symbol of Awami League) claiming Khaleda was trying to protect the war criminals.