Huge rally in Uttara protests smear campaign against MP SM Jahangir Hossain
BNP leaders and activists with local people brought out a mammoth protest rally from infront of Uttara Polwel Convention Center, Abdullahpur, protesting smear campaign against Dhaka-18 MP and BNP leader SM Jahangir Hossain.
The local people from Uttara Purba, Airport, Turag and Uttara Pashchim police station areas joined the rally on Friday afternoon. Dhaka North City BNP Joint Convener Aktar Hossain, Joint Convener Afaj Uddin Afaj, led the protest rally.
BNP leaders said in the rally, a smear campaign is being carried out against Dhaka-18 Member of Parliament SM Jahangir Hossain through a Facebook page called "Ajker Kantho." In response, leaders and activists of the BNP have strongly condemned and protested the campaign, stating that SM Jahangir Hossain is a dedicated leader and a man of integrity. They argue that no reasonable person would engage in such false and baseless propaganda against a sitting Member of Parliament. Over the past several days, social media has seen a wave of posts expressing support for SM Jahangir Hossain and condemning those allegedly behind the campaign.
BNP and its affiliated organizations leaders said also in the pre-procession rally that supporters of the 'fascist' Awami League, driven by jealousy over the growing popularity of Dhaka-18 MP SM Jahangir Hossain, are orchestrating a conspiracy to tarnish his reputation through misinformation.
Meanwhile, social media users also protest the smear campaign against SM Jahangir.
According to comments circulating on social media, members of the now-banned Bangladesh Chhatra League allegedly attempted to flee by boat along the Turag River after holding a procession in Turag. Fearing arrest by the police, they reportedly jumped into the river, and those who could not swim drowned.
Supporters of the BNP argue that the Awami League is now attempting to shift the blame for the incident onto the BNP. They claim that the Awami League has a history of spreading propaganda and conspiracies through social media. They have called on the public to stand against what they describe as such propaganda and have expressed strong condemnation of the campaign targeting Dhaka-18 MP SM Jahangir Hossain.
The banned Awami League's founding anniversary was observed on 23 June. To mark the occasion, on 22 June, activists of the Awami League's student wing reportedly traveled by trawler from Ashulia with the intention of holding a procession near the Turag embankment. After receiving information about the gathering, officers from Ashulia Police Station arrived at the scene.
Several eyewitnesses, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that police chased those who had gathered on the riverbank. As police pursued them, several Chhatra League activists aboard the trawler jumped into the Turag River.
The eyewitnesses further alleged that police officers grabbed the trawler's anchor, prompting several activists to leap into the river. Police subsequently arrested approximately seven individuals at the scene. According to the report, those arrested were close associates of former Dhaka-18 MP Alhaj Mohammad Habib Hasan, Senior Joint General Secretary of Dhaka North Awami League.
According to reports prepared by various intelligence agencies regarding the Ashulia incident, those who died after jumping into the Turag River while fleeing from police during the Awami League procession were unable to swim and drowned as a result.
Local residents reportedly stated that supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were attempting to divert attention from the actual incident by spreading propaganda against Dhaka-18 MP SM Jahangir Hossain on social media.
They further said that the smear campaign against SM Jahangir Hossain, whom they described as an honest and decent BNP leader, has created negative reactions among local party workers and members of the public.
According to the report, those allegedly behind the campaign concealed the original facts of the incident and created a photo card featuring SM Jahangir Hossain's image from the Facebook page "Ajker Kantho", branding the incident as the "Turag Tragedy."
The report alleges that the "Ajker Kantho" page carried out the propaganda campaign in an attempt to discredit the BNP. It further claims that, based on investigations and verification from various sources, the page functions as a propaganda outlet affiliated with the Awami League.
The BNP leaders quoted in the report stated that false rumors and propaganda surrounding the Ashulia incident are part of a broader conspiracy against the BNP. Regarding the campaign against Dhaka-18 MP SM Jahangir Hossain, several individuals who identified themselves as victims of the July movement said that political differences may exist, but all political parties remain united against those whom they accuse of killing protesters during the movement, and they pledged to maintain that unity in the future.
According to police and local sources, between approximately 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on 22 June 2026, around 25 to 30 activists led by former Turag Thana Chhatra League President Shafiqul Islam Shafik attempted to travel by boat from Rustampur Ghat in Ashulia to Ashulia Bazar Ghat.
The group reportedly boarded a boat owned by Ambar Ali and operated by a boatman named Ajay. As they attempted to disembark at the ghat, police officers on duty became aware of their presence and gave chase. The activists hurried back onto the boat in an attempt to flee but were unable to raise the anchor in time.
Police reportedly seized the boat's anchor, causing several frightened activists to jump into the Turag River. Seven people were arrested at the scene, while others attempted to escape by swimming.
According to police, the river's strong current caused two individuals to disappear beneath the water. Their absence was not immediately noticed, and their bodies were recovered the following day, 23 June. Police said the bodies had become decomposed after remaining in the water for an extended period.