I have attended the Chobi Mela for years but never before have I felt the emotions that rose out of me this time. When Shahidul Alam was arrested, the media outcry was a reflection of the inner turmoil I was going through. The fear was real—maybe even the bravest can be silenced! But the festival proved that when public support is there, it will be very difficult to stop dissenting voices from speaking out.

Adil Hosseini

Kakrail, Dhaka