Rumeen Farhana 'obstructed' from paying tribute at B'baria Shaheed Minar

Rumeen Farhana, lawmaker from Brahmanbaria-2, was reportedly unable to lay a wreath at the Shaheed Minar in Sarail upazila in the early hours of International Mother Language Day amid an altercation involving two groups.

Her wreath was torn apart during the commotion, and she left the venue without offering tribute despite police intervention. Her supporters later blocked the Dhaka–Sylhet highway in an hour-long protest.

While talking to media, Rumeen blamed local BNP leaders and activists for the disruption. “As per the rules, I went first to lay flowers at the Shaheed Minar. At that time, some BNP leaders and activists carried out a premeditated attack,” she said.

Rumeen further said, “If BNP, after 17 years, comes to power and fails to control its grassroots leaders and activists, the consequences will be disastrous. Therefore, those who use their party positions to engage in such violence should face action from the party’s high command. Otherwise, it will be harmful not only for BNP but will also damage the government’s image.”

According to eyewitnesses and police, Rumeen arrived at the Shaheed Minar premises around 11:50pm to pay tributes. She was accompanied by several hundred supporters and was waiting to place a wreath at 12:01am.

At that time, a group of BNP leaders and activists led by former Sarail Upazila BNP general secretary and current district BNP member Anowar Hossain Master also reached the scene. Witnesses said some of them chanted slogans of “bhua bhua”, triggering tension between the supporters.

Amid pushing and commotion near the altar, the wreath brought by Rumeen was torn apart. Several people were also seen stepping onto the Shaheed Minar platform wearing shoes during the disorder, witnesses said.

Shah Md Abdur Rauf, superintendent of police of Brahmanbaria, said the authorities received complaints of pushing and slogan-chanting between two groups. Video footage is being analysed, and necessary legal steps will be taken if evidence is found.

Police intervened and brought the situation under control. However, Rumeen left the premises under the protection of her supporters without being able to lay the wreath.

In protest, several hundred of her supporters blocked the Dhaka–Sylhet highway at Shahbazpur First Gate area around 12:30am. They set fire to tyres and halted vehicular movement, chanting slogans against Anowar Hossain. Traffic remained suspended for an hour, causing long tailbacks on both sides.

Teams from Sarail Police Station and Khatihata Highway Police later assured demonstrators of legal action. The blockade was lifted around 1:30am, allowing traffic to resume.

Sarail Upazila unit BNP president Anisul Islam Thakur said the party had a decision regarding paying tribute at the Shaheed Minar.

When asked about the incident, he said that the matter would be looked into.

In the 13th Parliamentary Election, Rumeen won the Brahmanbaria-2 seat as an independent candidate with the “duck” symbol, securing 118,547 votes. Her nearest rival, Maulana Junayed Al Habib of Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh, backed by the BNP-led alliance, received 80,434 votes with the “date tree” symbol.