Who is calling the shots in Gopalganj?

A curfew is now in place in Gopalganj.

Before the curfew, Asif Mahmud posted a status urging people not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary, stating that all "terrorists" would be dealt with harshly.

From newspaper reports, I’ve read that a special joint forces search operation is underway in Gopalganj, going house to house. The Navy and Coast Guard have been deployed to ensure no one escapes via waterways.

To me, Gopalganj is a trending topic. For the NCP and BNP, Gopalganj is a political issue. 

But for the fruit traders, fish traders, and vegetable traders of Gopalganj, this is about their perishable goods and capital rotting away.

For the mothers and sisters of Gopalganj, this is state-sponsored terrorism, as their homes are searched to hunt for "Awami terrorists" among their sons and brothers.

At this time, Pinaki Bhattacharya made a video calling out Professor Yunus, stating that Gopalganj’s roads would be blocked, and water and electricity lines would be cut off.

You might think Pinaki’s video is just a video, but for the people of Gopalganj, it’s a justification of the government’s reign of terror – an act of epistemic violence. It’s about constructing a narrative of hate to justify collective punishment of an entire community for the crimes of a few Awami League "terrorists."

Nahid Islam might think that by talking about not "eradicating" Gopalganj, he’s preaching equality. But no, Nahid Bhai, the people of Gopalganj don’t see it that way. 

Instead, when you said: “The flag of the July Uprising will fly in every house in Gopalganj,” to the people of Gopalganj, it sounds like Netanyahu saying: “I will establish Zionism in every home in Gaza.”

People will connect this with Pinaki Bhattacharya’s video. They won’t differentiate between the two.

Many political leaders think ordinary people determine the nature of reality by listening to official statements or politically correct speeches. Not at all. Ordinary people look at who is patronizing you, whose narrative shapes your politics, and who you are aligned with.

Ordinary people don’t read politically correct press briefings or press notes. They don’t know who sits in the NCP’s boardroom deciding political directions. They see who your friends are, who your friends’ friends are, who shares your status, and whose narrative you carry.

Pinaki Da had these same discussions back on February 28, 2013, after the verdict on Maulana Sayeedi, when police killed 200 citizens during nationwide protests. He said that since Jamaat had committed violence, it was justified for the state to kill them.

Back then, we couldn’t stop Pinaki Da from justifying Hasina’s narrative, but we protested at the risk of our lives. Today, too, we protest despite many risks.

It seems many have learned nothing from the fight we waged to stop Awami fascism.

To the NCP leadership: 

Sometimes, it’s not about what you say, but what you stay silent about that defines your politics. 

Don’t remain silent in the face of the state’s full force being used against a small community and Pinaki’s epistemic violence.

Please.