Video of NCP Leader’s Slogans at Shahjalal Shrine in Sylhet Sparks Online Debate

A video showing Sarjis Alam, a key coordinator of the northern region for the National Citizen Party (NCP), chanting slogans at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal in Sylhet has spread widely on Facebook, triggering mixed reactions online.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday night. In the video, Sarjis Alam can be seen leading a series of chants while thousands of people present at the shrine join him.

After the footage circulated on social media, many users criticized the act, saying that raising political slogans inside the shrine compromised the spiritual atmosphere and dignity of the sacred place. Others, however, defended the event and argued that it was not inappropriate.

Responding to the criticism, Kibria Sarwar, member secretary of the NCP’s Sylhet metropolitan unit, told reporters that the slogans were raised after the Tarawih prayers had ended. He said a large number of young people from Generation Z were gathered there and began chanting when they saw the party leaders. According to him, Sarjis Alam later joined in, and no disrespect toward the shrine occurred.

Witnesses said the NCP’s Sylhet district and metropolitan units had organized an iftar gathering earlier that evening. The event was attended by party convener and lawmaker Nahid Islam, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, and Sarjis Alam. After the program, they performed Tarawih prayers at the mosque located within the shrine complex.

When the central leaders were leaving the shrine area after prayers, thousands of people present began chanting slogans. At that moment, Nahid Islam and Nasiruddin Patwari left the area, but Sarjis Alam reportedly stood on the roof of the women’s prayer area within the shrine compound and continued leading chants, with the crowd responding loudly.

Various slogans were shouted during the gathering, including religious and political chants such as “Allahu Akbar” and other calls related to resistance and struggle.

The incident drew criticism from some civil society members. Abdul Karim Chowdhury, coordinator of the Sylhet-based civic platform Sangkhubdho Nagarik Andolon, shared the video on Facebook and wrote that political slogans had never been raised inside the shrine during visits in the past. He said the actions of the NCP leaders went against the etiquette traditionally observed at Sufi shrines.

Another social media user, Mahtab Shah Fakir, also criticized the incident, saying sacred places meant for prayer and reflection should not be turned into platforms for slogans. He added that Sylhet is widely known for its spiritual heritage, and preserving respect and proper conduct at holy sites is a shared responsibility.

The incident has since sparked a broader discussion online about the balance between political expression and maintaining the sanctity of religious and spiritual locations.