Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain

After the violence and casualties in Gopalganj centered on the National Citizens Party or NCP rally, there has been a lot of discussion and criticism in Bangladesh and internationally. Many have also raised questions about the government and law enforcement agencies' actions in this incident. So far, at least 5 people have been reported dead in this conflict-violence incident in Gopalganj on July 16, 2025. Although Section 144 was initially imposed to control the situation, it did not work, so the government imposed a curfew after the incident, which was later extended. Leaders of various political parties and media outlets from home and abroad have reacted to this incident. As neutral and non-political individuals, we can try to understand two things to get an idea about the Gopalganj Lanka incident and casualties. First, what is the biggest crime in this incident and who or who committed it? Second, in criminology, to determine the cause of the incident, the beneficiaries are first identified, who or who are the biggest beneficiaries or beneficiaries of the incident? We will shed light on the role of the stakeholders or participants in this incident and the surrounding situation. We will try to understand who the ultimate big beneficiary, that is, the mastermind of the incident, could be. We divide the participants in this crime or incident into three groups. 1. We try to find out the weaknesses or narrow-mindedness of the people of Gopalganj. As a political party in the country, can't the National Citizen Party or NCP conduct political programs in Gopalganj like other districts of this country? Is Gopalganj something separate from Bangladesh? Can they attack NCP's public meetings due to differences of opinion? Will the NCP or any other organization have the right to do politics in Gopalganj? Can someone's words go against you, so can you physically attack them? 2. Since the National Citizen Party or NCP is a political organization. We try to understand the real purpose of the National Citizen Party or NCP's visit to Gopalganj. Should the organization have gone to Gopalganj at this time or was it necessary to go at all? Is the Gopalganj program consistent with the ongoing marches of this organization in other districts? Has the organization given importance to the mentality, environment, sensitivity, their consciousness, faith, feelings, emotions and beliefs of the people of Gopalganj? Should the NCP have gone to Gopalganj and made provocative statements? Did the NCP hurt their feelings? Did the speeches and slogans of the NCP leaders and activists in Gopalganj try to make the local people interested in the NCP, or were they trying to anger them? 3. Now we review the reasons for the attack by the people of Gopalganj on the NCP program and the role of the law enforcement agencies and the Bangladesh government. It is worth mentioning here that the reason why I say that the people of Gopalganj attacked is that several BNP leaders of Gopalganj district have expressed their opinions on social media saying that they too must take action to protect the honor of their district. Even till date, no other political party, social and cultural organization in Gopalganj district has protested against the attack on NCP. That is, this issue is not only a political issue, but has also become a matter of the dignity of their district. In the past, various parties have been inciting people on social media and in the media regarding Gopalganj. For example, in the case of other districts, a march was organized, and in the case of Gopalganj, a March to Gopalganj was organized. Previously, house number 32 in Dhanmondi was demolished for a long time in broad daylight. The Bangladesh government did not make any attempt to prevent it. Rather, the house was demolished with a government bulldozer. Due to this, the people of Gopalganj were in fear about Bangabandhu's tomb in Tungipara. Social media is doing the rounds that the name of Gopalganj will also be erased. Like number 32, Bangabandhu's tomb in Tungipara will also be demolished. Such threats have been seen on social media at various times in the last one year. Even in Gopalganj, the slogan of 'Mujibabad Murdabad' was raised. That is, Bangabandhu's supporters were invited to come and attack me. Due to many other surrounding conditions, the self-esteem of the people of Gopalganj was hurt. In this situation, the NCP and the people of Gopalganj have indulged in mutual hatred, anarchy and chaos in Gopalganj. There have also been incidents of chases and counter-chase. Although the NCP campaigned in other districts, there was a difference in the program in Gopalganj. If a similar march to Bogra, Feni, Noakhali or Rangpur had been purposefully aimed at the bases of another political party, would the reaction of the BNP, Jatiya Party and the residents of the concerned districts in these districts have been different? Gopalganj is one of the smallest districts in Bangladesh. The march from Dhaka could have taken place in any divisional city or could have taken place in any district bordering India in response to the killing of a Bangladeshi citizen on the border. But after demolishing number 32, March to Gopalganj will naturally add a different dimension. We have to remember that before the march with the slogan Mujibabad Murdabad, there was no attack on the NCP leaders and activists from the people of Gopalganj. The incident happened after the local people were finally provoked by the police station in that district. Can the law enforcement agencies kill ordinary people for this? If people had come forward and stood in an aggressive or violent manner, I would have accepted that they were shot in self-defense. You killed people like birds, did such an incident happen It wouldn't work. I saw many videos, in which people are clearly seen running away, being shot at from behind. I have also seen videos of unconscious or inanimate bodies, being carried away by multiple people in a brutal and demonic manner. After being brutally beaten, I have also seen them being beaten with boots and choked. Unfortunately, I have also seen videos that left me bewildered, like the law enforcement forces swinging a still body and punching and kicking it. Hey, brother, these are people. People are very civilized these days, so this is not often seen. Human knowledge has sunk to such a low point that I can't believe it. Will there be any justice for this murder? Can the army commit this murder? Is this the same army that was there in July-August 2024? Didn't we praise this army then? When you go to politics in Gopalganj, do you always face atrocities at the hands of the Awami League? This is not the case. After this government came to power, Jamaat-e-Islami has held various types of political programs in Gopalganj twice without any problems. Gopalganj is the only district in Bangladesh where political programs are very rare, one of the reasons for which is a student from a school whose roll number is one. For this reason, there is no need to do so much politics in Gopalganj Awami League. I have also heard that in the national parliament elections in Gopalganj, Awami League party candidates do not even pay money to polling agents at the polling station in most cases. Because victory is certain, there is no need to spend money on this. Just because it is the base of a party, Gopalganj residents should not be treated as a den of a specific party, a hideout of fascists, and politicians of the country should do research - why is Gopalganj such a big base of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Is it just because Bangabandhu was born in Gopalganj? Why didn't the main leaders of all other political parties be born in some district or the other? This was a lesson for others. Couldn't they have taken advantage of this and made an effort to create such a strong position in their own district? In our country, a class of people, instead of being happy with the happiness of others or imitating them, are engaged in malicious attempts to break the journey of others by cutting their own noses. For the people of Gopalganj, Bangabandhu is long live Zindabad. Joy Bangla is closely related to their lives. And because of this, they are victims of discrimination. If any party other than the Awami League comes to power, Gopalganj will develop the least. If someone goes there and tries to make Bangabandhu or Mujibabad a Murdabad, they will never take it well, this is natural. For many people of Gopalganj, Bangabandhu will be like a god, this is natural.

The writer is a essayist, fiction writer, and president, International Anti-Drug Organization Freedom International Anti-Alcohol, E-Mail:eddanwar@gmail.com.