Violence in Gopalganj, which left four people dead, and more than 50 protesters and police personnel injured, has brought to the fore, underlying political tensions that remain in Bangladesh. The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is struggling to deliver security a year after Hasina was forced to resign and flee to India.
On Wednesday, 16 July 2025, a rally by National Citizen Party (NCP), a new political party formed by students who spearheaded the unrest that ousted Hasina last year, in Gopalganj – Hasina’s ancestral home and a stronghold for her support base – turned violent when supporters of her Awami League party tried to disrupt the event.
The streets of Gopalganj were quiet on Thursday, with shops closed and few vehicles on the roads, the Dhaka Tribune reported, as authorities imposed a curfew after the violence.
Wednesday’s clashes drew promises of a harsh response from Yunus-led interim government that has governed the country since Hasina’s ouster last August.
Dhaka Tribune notes: “Gopalganj is not just another city, it is a political and historical fortress of Awami League. As such, a political rally held here would invite tension, given the month and time, did not surprise anybody. Threats were aired publicly days before the rally, and local undercurrents already appeared to be simmering. With all this knowledge…the interim government’s security was woefully lacking, and announcements of curfews and security deployments were too little, too late as lives had already been lost… This violence was tragically predictable, given its status as the epicentre of Awami League identity and power…We must do all we can to avert further descent into violence…”
Hasina’s Awami League, which the authorities banned in May, posted messages on X condemning the violence.
The Bangladesh National Party (BNP), one of the two parties that have traditionally dominated Bangladesh politics, criticised the government for failing to maintain law and order.
Jamaat-e-Islami party condemned the attacks on NCP and announced protests of its own.
Earlier this month, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal indicted Hasina and two senior officials over alleged crimes against humanity linked to a deadly crackdown on protesters during the uprising against her rule. In an earlier ruling, Hasina – now in self-imposed exile in India – was sentenced in absentia to six months in prison for contempt of court by the tribunal.
Economic Impact
Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest exporters of readymade garments (RMGs). Violence, unrest, protest, and simmering tension can lead to disruptions in transportation, logistics and supply chains, reduced production – owing to worker absenteeism or safety concerns, and potential trade implications with major buyers like the US and EU.
The RMG sector is a major contributor to Bangladesh’s economy. Frequent clashes and disruptions can lead to economic and job losses and socio-economic tensions. It could also impact Bangladesh’s reputation as a reliable garment supplier and affect foreign investments into the sector and economy.
Disclaimer: The article has reference to open sources including Al Jazeera and Dhaka Tribune.