Heated words fly in Manikganj between Sarjis and former Students Against Discrimination leader

A video of the exchange at an NCP coordination meeting shows tension over "political affiliations"

A heated exchange has erupted between NCP Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam and a former leader of the Students Against Discrimination Movement in Manikganj.

The altercation took place towards the end of the NCP’s coordination meeting held at the City Dream Hotel and Convention Hall, according to witnesses.

They said the incident briefly created tension at the venue.

A video of the confrontation, which has reached journalists, shows Omar Faruk, the former district coordinator of the student group in Manikganj, engaging in a dispute with Sarjis on stage.

During the argument, Omar is heard asking: “Why is the [Bangladesh] Chhatra League leader standing behind Sarjis?”

Sarjis responded, “No one has been asked to show Chhatra League here.”

Omar then questioned, “Why is there a Jamaat [-e-Islami] man on this stage?”

In response, Sarjis said: “No one from Jamaat can be part of the NCP.”

During the exchange, Sarjis told Omar: “You have a problem.”

He then took Omar aside from the stage before returning to speak with reporters.

When contacted, NCP Manikganj Joint Coordinator-1 AHM Mahfuz said: “Faruk is not part of us. He was the coordinator of the suspended district committee of the Students Against Discrimination. Later, he was not included in the NCP.”