I wrote this Facebook post in Bengali to share a vital message during these highly sensitive times. In my post, I protest the recent internet shutdown imposed in our state, a measure that not only restricts our access to critical information but also silences our voices when we need them most.
The shutdown comes amid a deeply troubling and violent outbreak of communal violence between Hindu and Muslim communities, reportedly triggered by opposition to a controversial Waqf (or Wakf) property bill. This conflict has already claimed numerous lives, led to violent clashes, and seen homes burned and communities torn apart. In such a volatile environment, cutting off internet access has only escalated fear and confusion, preventing people from seeking help, staying informed, or reaching out to loved ones.
The post also emphasizes the importance of digital privacy and freedom, especially under regimes that resort to internet blackouts to suppress dissent and control narratives. It urges both local citizens and the international community to recognize how such actions threaten basic human rights, including free expression, safety, and privacy.
This is not just about a technical outage…
it’s about the human cost of silencing a population during crisis, and the urgent need to defend digital rights as fundamental rights.