The phenomenon of 'mob justice', i.e. a group of people forcibly taking justice into their own hands, has reached an alarming state in Bangladesh. After the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5, 'mob justice' started on a large scale. However, the trend of taking this law into their own hands has been seen before in Bangladesh. But that was the case of the alleged thief-robber being beaten up.
But this time, there have been incidents like forced resignation of teachers, university vice-chancellors, heads or officers of various institutions, beating them away, attacking the accused in the court area, beating and hacking to death in some places. Even the crazy are not spared. Even though it was the unconscious people of the society, there was talk of the shameful incident that is happening in the most educational institutions of Bangladesh. No one involved in any of the incidents has been arrested or brought to justice. Only 4 people have been arrested in the incident of Muslim Hall of Dhaka University yesterday.
The coordinators of anti-discrimination student movement are also facing resistance and protests while visiting different districts. Finally, they were forced to return without holding a rally under police and army guard while holding a rally in Bogra. Similar incidents have come from several other districts.
YouTuber Hero Alam was attacked on July 17, 2023 during the Dhaka-17 constituency by-election. He was elected against Awami League candidate Mohammad A. Arafat. Arafat's Awami League government has fallen. But the attack on Hero Alam did not stop. On September 8, Ashraful Alam alias Hero Alam was attacked in the court premises in Bogra. Hero Alam has alleged that some youths have carried out this attack by accusing BNP Acting Chairperson Tariq Rahman of taunting. Reacting to the attack, Hero Alam said, "After the fall of a dictatorship, another group has started its own terrorist activities."
On the same day, former Chhatra League leader, crippled Abdullah Al Masud, was beaten to death in Rajshahi. He lost a leg in another attack eight years ago. Since then he used to walk with a plastic leg. That day he went out to buy medicine. He was beaten to death on August 5 on charges of assaulting students. He became father to a baby girl on 3 September. The interim government was formed on 8 August. Then the case started. In these cases, the accused are being accused indiscriminately. And after the ministers-MPs of the fallen government started being detained, they are being attacked in the presence of the police in the court area. They were beaten and bloody. Women were also not spared from this attack.
Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Omar Farooq said, "I find the events happening since August 5 alarming. We did not expect such an event. Beating, beating for being crazy - we are fed up with it. Such hellish killings, attacks that started in July are still going on. They have deprived us of sleep. People are being beaten to death like snakes. If these continue, then there is no such thing as rule of law.'
What law are you attacking teachers? forcing them to resign. Going to different offices and resigning. The government will take action against those who complain. But those who are doing it, how are they doing it. Why is action not being taken against those who are doing it?' He said, 'A few days ago, the students protested by blocking the intersection of seven roads. They occupied the road. Our cars got stuck. The traffic police were standing and talking. No one is doing any duty, everyone is going on as usual.'
No public university in Bangladesh has started classes here either. As many as 50 university VCs, ProVCs have been forced to resign. Heads of more than two hundred educational institutions have been forcibly removed Teachers have also been attacked. Minorities were attacked. Incidents of attacks and fires in various industrial establishments have made the situation dire. In Rupganj, Narayanganj, an industrial company named Gazi Tire was destroyed in a 'celebratory' manner. Now vandalism like breaking the shrine is going on. Several other shrines, including the Dewanbagi shrine of Narayananj, were destroyed. Panic is going on in Dhaka's Golap Shah shrine. It is also threatened to be demolished.
Dhaka University Law and Criminology Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Curzon said, "This 'mob justice' has been going on for a long time due to frustration and lack of justice among people. But here I also see irresponsibility. Now that the interim government has taken over, they are also not taking adequate measures in this regard. These are the students who led the mass uprising. Somewhere due to their involvement, and somewhere else due to over-enthusiastic crowd, this situation has been created.
He further said, 'I fear that such a great achievement will not be lost due to this situation. The situation in educational institutions is dire now. Especially the universities of the country including Dhaka University are now unregulated. If any teacher, police or any government official has committed any wrongdoing, then action can be taken against them as per law. But now illegal work is happening. He said, "The government fell through this movement, it is a people's coup. I personally don't consider it a revolution. We need a cultural revolution. If we look at the French Revolution, the Russian Revolution, things will be clear. Now, if this interim government does not take action against these mob justices, then there will be a massacre. There have been terrible incidents of attacks and looting of weapons in Bangladesh's police stations. The looted weapon has not been recovered yet. Many policemen have not yet joined the work due to fear.
Syed Bajlul Karim, former head of Dhaka Metropolitan Intelligence Department and former DIG, said, 'The terrible trend of taking the law into one's own hands cannot continue in any civilized society. A universally respected person like Professor Yunus has taken charge of the interim government. His government should take strict action against those who are involved in this mob justice. A government has fallen through mass coup. Now some people think they can do whatever they want. And some group may want to make the situation worse and confuse the situation. Some are taking chances again. As a result, this situation has arisen. After the massive attack on the police, the police are not active anymore. The government should make the army more active and bring the situation under control.
A new tension has arisen over the appointment of the District Commissioner. Those who want to become Deputy Commissioner, but could not, are creating chaos in the Secretariat every day. Earlier, the students stormed the secretariat and surrounded the advisers and canceled the remaining six subjects of the AHC examination. Seeing them, Ansar members also entered the secretariat and created a hostage situation to demand. They were however suppressed with the help of students.
Social scientist Professor Dr. Nehal Karim said, '99% of people in Bangladesh have not been socialized properly. As a result, there is inconsistency and discrimination in all professions. As a result, there is a fear of more chaos in various sectors in the next four-five months. Because, now he who can, he wants to take measures in his own way. In a word, these extrajudicial killings must be stopped now or the brutality will increase.
The writer is an Assistant Professor and Head of Department at (Sociology), Rosey Mozammel Women's Honors College 
