Staff Reporter :
Titas Upazila BNP General Secretary Mehedi Hasan Selim Bhuiyan has been served a show-cause notice by the Cumilla (North) District BNP after he mistakenly referred to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the “wife” of slain President Ziaur Rahman.
The matter was confirmed on Monday by Md. Akhtaruzzaman Sarkar, convener of the district BNP.
Earlier, on November 7, during a discussion meeting organized on the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, Mehedi Hasan Selim mistakenly mentioned Sheikh Hasina’s name instead of Begum Khaleda Zia. A short 11-second video of the incident later went viral on social media.
According to sources, the meeting was held around 11 a.m. that day at the temporary office of Titas Upazila BNP, known as “Titas Bhaban.” The session was presided over by the upazila BNP president, Md. Osman Gani Bhuiyan, while the chief guest was Cumilla (North) District BNP convener Md. Akhtaruzzaman Sarkar. Leaders and activists from upazila and union levels were also present.
During his speech, Mehedi Hasan Selim said, “I respectfully remember national leader Sheikh Hasina, the wife of martyred President Ziaur Rahman.” The audience immediately pointed out the mistake, upon which he said “sorry” and continued his remarks.
The video of the incident later spread across social media.
Mehedi Hasan Selim Bhuiyan told journalists, “While conducting the meeting that day, Sheikh Hasina’s name slipped out by mistake. I actually meant to say national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, the wife of martyred President Ziaur Rahman. It was a complete slip of the tongue, for which I apologized immediately.”
He further claimed, “A certain quarter made a portion of the video viral two days later, on the morning of November 9, with the intention of defaming me. I have now received the show-cause notice and will respond within the stipulated time.”
District BNP convener Md. Akhtaruzzaman Sarkar said, “As the incident has spread nationally through social media, the show-cause notice was issued in line with party decision. Further action will be taken after reviewing his response.”
