Political Row Erupts Over ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ Slogan in Bangladesh

During a discussion on International Mother Language Day in Sirajganj, the Minister stated that slogans like "Inquilab Zindabad" and platforms like "Inquilab Mancha" have no connection to the Bengali language and should be rejected by those who truly embrace their mother tongue. He expressed personal distress over hearing the youth use these terms, associating them with those who once opposed Bengali rights, and asserted his stance as a "nationalist from head to toe" despite potential accusations of being a foreign agent.

In response to the Minister's comments, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, issued a sharp rebuttal on his verified Facebook page early Sunday morning. His brief post, which read "InshaAllah, the Bangladesh of the future is a Bangladesh of justice. Inquilab Zindabad," quickly went viral, garnering over 200,000 reactions and thousands of shares within hours. This move is seen as a direct challenge to the government's narrative, aligning the party with a slogan that has gained renewed popularity following the 2024 mass uprising.

The controversy has also drawn in prominent student leaders from the anti-discrimination movement, including Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, as well as NCP leader Nasiruddin Patawari, who have all shared the slogan on social media in protest. While the Minister views the term "Inquilab" as historically alien to Bengali nationalism, opposition and student leaders argue it represents the spirit of revolution and change. This clash has turned the "Inquilab" issue into a central political talking point, highlighting deep-seated divisions over the cultural and historical symbols of the country.