Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country and fled to India in the face of mass protests by students. Then violence started across the country. BNP and its affiliated organizations have taken action against their leaders and workers for their involvement and violation of organizational discipline.

The party is expelling at least 44 leaders and activists from 17 districts in the last five days. Among them, there are 27 members of Juba Dal, 10 members of Chhatro Dol, six members of BNP and one member of shechhasebok Dol. Apart from this, show cause notices have been issued to at least 42 activists of BNP and its affiliates in three districts.

According to BNP sources, the party’s top leadership has taken a strict stance against attacks and vandalism, especially those that have targeted religious minorities.

A member of the BNP Standing Committee said on the condition of anonymity, “This important measure has been taken to uphold the party’s reputation and to ensure that the leaders and activists do not engage in any activities to tarnish the image of the party.”

Last week, BNP Acting Chairman Tariq Rahman urged party leaders to set an example by protecting all citizens regardless of their religious identity.

Measures against the activists

In Dhaka, the convener of Kadmatoli Thana Chhatro Dol has been expelled and six other leaders have been given show cause notices.

The senior joint convener of Chittagong Metropolitan Chhatro Dol  has been expelled. Two vice-presidents of the Chittagong Metropolitan Youth Party have also been expelled.

Paikgacha Upazila BNP general secretary SM Enamul Haque has been given a show cause notice in connection with looting and arson in Khulna.

A Khulna district BNP press release on August 8 said he attacked many Hindu houses and looted valuables. But the victims did not dare to speak for fear of retaliation later.

Barisal District Chhatro Dol Organizing Secretary, Thakurgaon District Chhatro Dol General Secretary and Panchagarh Municipal Convenor Committee member secretary have also been expelled.

13 leaders of BNP, Juba Dal and Chhatro Dol have been expelled on charges of attack and vandalism in Jessore. Besides, at least 35 BNP leaders at the grass root level in the districts have been warned.

District and Nalchiti Upazila Jubo Dal conveners have been expelled for breaking organizational discipline in Jhalkathi. The district BNP expelled the deputy publicity secretary of Sadar Upazila for the same reason. Apart from this, four members of Jubo Dol were expelled from Lakshmipur, four from Pirojpur, three from Lalmonirhat, two each from Gazipur, Noakhali, Magura and Jhenaidah and one from Narsingdi.

The convener of Magura Municipal Volunteers has also been expelled.