What initially appeared to be a spontaneous pro-Awami League (AL) demonstration in Satkhira’s Debhata upazila has unraveled into a dramatic tale of deception, involving masked Jamaat-Shibir activists, a disgraced student leader, and a controversial local chairman.
The midnight rally—staged on July 16 in the remote Chinedanga area of Sakhipur union—featured a group of men wearing helmets and masks, chanting unmistakably pro-AL slogans such as “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and “We will strip the skin off Jamaat-Shibir and BNP.” The video, deliberately recorded in low quality, was uploaded to Facebook by Mujahid Bin Firoz, then convener of Debhata Upazila unit of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), accompanied by aggressive anti-opposition rhetoric.
However, investigations by local residents, political sources, and Gonotaar reveal that the rally was anything but a spontaneous AL event.
The Real Organizers Behind the Masks
According to multiple sources, the rally was orchestrated by Mujahid Bin Firoz himself—also the joint convener of The Red July’s Satkhira chapter—alongside Debhata Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami unit member Solaiman Hossain. The two coordinated the staged procession with support and consultation from Sakhipur UP Chairman Saiful Islam.
Saiful, a former Upazila Chhatra League general secretary who reportedly married the daughter of a Jamaat female leader, has since aligned himself with Jamaat’s local structure, leveraging its voter base to secure his current post as chairman.
With Saiful’s political blessing, the rally was carefully planned to appear as an AL mobilization. All participants—including known Jamaat activists and student loyalists—were instructed to wear masks and helmets to avoid identification. The slogans were chosen deliberately to mimic AL rhetoric and provoke chaos. The aim, sources claim, was twofold: to destabilize Debhata’s recovering political environment after the August 5 uprising, and to intimidate local AL activists into silence—or extortion—by weaponizing confusion and fear.
How the Plot Unfolded
Immediately after the video spread online, Debhata police launched a midnight investigation, but found no local confirmation of any rally. AL leaders, initially stunned by the slogans, feared renewed attacks and state crackdowns. Meanwhile, BNP and Jamaat leaders, also shocked at first, soon began to suspect foul play.
The truth began to surface when a clearer version of the rally video—secretly filmed by the organizers’ own followers—began circulating within Jamaat and SAD’s inner circles. Despite their efforts to obscure their identities, both Mujahid Bin Firoz and Solaiman Hossain were identified by their appearance and clothing. Leaders from Satkhira SAD and Debhata Jamaat confirmed the identities, leading to widespread internal backlash.
On July 23, SAD Satkhira District Convener Md Arafat Hossain issued a letter officially expelling Mujahid Bin Firoz for gross organizational misconduct and violation of principles.
Meanwhile, Jamaat’s internal sources confirm that Solaiman’s role has also been acknowledged. A list of other Jamaat members present at the rally has been submitted to the party’s Satkhira leadership by Debhata Upazila ameer Maulana Oliul Islam. Although no disciplinary action has yet been taken against Solaiman or his followers, party insiders confirm that internal reviews and meetings are ongoing.
A Pattern of Deception and Coercion
This is not Mujahid Bin Firoz’s first brush with controversy. Following the political shift of August 5, 2024, Mujahid reportedly rose to local notoriety by intimidating AL leaders under the pretext of state protection, extracting money in the process. His erratic behavior included declaring himself “President” on Facebook and threatening journalists with politically motivated cases after critical coverage.
Earlier this year, three of his associates were arrested by military personnel while attempting a robbery at a local AL leader’s home in Pushpokati. These incidents collectively paint a portrait of a politically opportunistic youth figure leveraging both fear and confusion to assert influence.
While Mujahid has been expelled and Jamaat promises action, critics say this could be just the tip of the iceberg.
