Qaumi Chhatra Oikya Parishad has announced an Islamic cultural programme at the Brahmanbaria District Shilpakala Academy auditorium, where the NCP district committee had planned an organisational coordination meeting and political workshop on Saturday at 4pm. The new programme was announced for 3pm Saturday at the same venue amid a dispute over remarks attributed to NCP leader and member of parliament Hasnat Abdullah.

Abdul Khaleq, a member of the Qaumi students’ convening committee, said the group had demanded that Hasnat Abdullah apologise for what it described as false statements about Brahmanbaria. He said the programme was announced after no apology was made. On Friday night, madrasa students under the organisation’s banner protested and said they would resist the NCP event if Hasnat did not apologise.

NCP central organiser Abdullah Al Mahmud Jihan said the party had informed the deputy commissioner about holding a political event at the auditorium and was discussing the matter with authorities. Deputy Commissioner Md Abu Sayeed said NCP had notified officials of a private event, not a political rally. He said neither side could use the auditorium without district administration permission.