Bangladesh today, appears to be in the grip of a deeply troubling paradox. At a time when democratic governance has been restored through a free, fair and credible polls - the streets tell a different story- where systematically organized mobs, not courts, are increasingly deciding guilt, crimes and punishment by unleashing inhuman violence.
We, however, believe growing incidence of mob violence across the country is not only a law-and-order failure, rather it is a profound indictment of the state and the government's ability to uphold the rule of law while protect its citizens.
Recent months have only offered grim reminders of this reality. In late 2025, a young Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched in Mymensingh by a large mob acting on unverified allegations of blasphemy-claims that later proved baseless. Around the same period, the killing of young political activist Sharif Osman Hadi sparked retaliatory violence in multiple districts, leading to arson attacks on media offices, vandalism of cultural institutions and destruction of private homes. Even our proud symbols of national heritage have not been spared: a mob attack on Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home over a trivial dispute revealed how quickly collective anger can turn into cultural vandalism. The historic residence of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman came under attack by mob frenzy. Houses of political leaders were set on fire and looted by mob. Leading media houses of the Prothom Alo and Daily Star became victims of mob violence. Chayyanat, legendary cultural organisation, was not spared by mob. Few days back mob killed a "Peer" (known as a spiritual leader) and torched his shrine in Kushtia.
These incidents are not mere anomalies, but a part of a dangerously escalating pattern.
A number of renowned local Human Rights organizations have reported that nearly 200 people were killed in mob violence in 2025 alone, with hundreds more injured, during the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus. The numbers are not just statistics, in fact they represent a growing normalization of brutality, where crowds gather with alarming speed, driven by rumor, grievance or political provocation, and disperse without consequence.
Allegations are there that the unelected interim government did not control mob violence, rather encouraged it. Such mob culture intimidated the judiciary, administration, law enforcers-even medea.
Why, then, does this phenomenon persist-even under a popularly elected government?
The most immediate answer undeniably lies in the entrenched culture of impunity. Time and again, perpetrators of mob violence have evaded justice. Investigations are slow, prosecutions inconsistent, and convictions rare. These manifested failures send a dangerous signal: Collective violence is constantly diluting individual responsibility while accountability is disappearing in the anonymity of crowd.
Compounding this is the weakness-and at times obvious reluctance of law enforcement agencies to act. In many reported cases, police have arrived late or failed to intervene decisively, even when violence unfolded over extended periods. Whether due to lack of capacity, political pressure or fear of escalation, such delayis unquestionably eroding public confidence and also empowering mob perpetrators.
Equally important is to note the growing political polarization in the country. Bangladesh's political landscape yet remains deeply fractured, and mob violence often intersects with partisan interests. Local actors in different capacities are exploiting public anger to settle scores, assert dominance and weaken opponents. Under these ominous circumstances, mob deployment is not necessarily spontaneous. There are enough reasons to believe mobs are being systematically mobilized, directed, shielded and some times sponsored and instigated.
Another critical factor behind mob violence in the country, we believe, is the rapid spread of misinformation, particularly through social media. Allegations of blasphemy, child abduction, theft or moral transgression can go viral within minutes, triggering violent outrage before facts are verified.
Need be mentioned, in a society where digital literacy often lags behind digital access, rumors and gossips easily acquires the force of truth with deadly consequences.
However, we apprehend beneath these visible factors lie deeper, structural forces that sustain the cycle of violence.
Socio-economic frustrations are surely playing a dangerous role, since a large segment of the population-particularly youth-facing unemployment, under-employment and limited upward mobility. This has indisputably created a pool of discontent, making individuals eager to mobilize by emotional triggers or opportunistic actors.
Religious and identity-based discrimination and tensions are further complicating the landscape. Our minority communities remain disproportionately vulnerable to mob attacks, often targeted under the pretext of protecting religious sentiment. Such incidents are not only violating fundamental rights,but also deepening social divisions and tensions.
Perhaps most alarming, however, is quick erosion of public trust in formal institutions. As our citizens continue to perceive the justice system as slow, inaccessible, or biased - a violent temptation to seek 'instant justice' automatically grows. On that note - mob violence, in this sense, is both a symptom and a cause of institutional decay.
The burning question that looms large is: when will this stop?
The uncomfortable truth, however, is that mob violence will not subside on its own-not with time, nor with electoral cycles.
It will persist as long as three conditions remain unaddressed: Impunity for perpetrators, poor law enforcement response and deliberate politicization of public anger. Without addressing these foundational issues, decline of mob violence in the country will likely be temporary.
What, then must be done or the solutions to end mob violence are all available in the public domain, only efficient enactments are missing.
First, the state must show zero tolerance to mob violence and demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to accountability. Fast-track investigations and ensure prosecutions of mob violence cases. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done-swiftly and transparently.
Second, our law enforcement agencies need to be both reformed and empowered. Police must be trained, equipped, and mandated to intervene decisively in mob situations. Clear protocols and accountability mechanisms can also ensure that hesitation or inaction does not cost lives.
Third, combating misinformation must become a national priority. This includes real-time monitoring of viral content, rapid dissemination of verified information, and public awareness campaigns to encourage critical consumption of digital media.
Fourth, we call on all our political parties to rise above partisan considerations to condemn and prevent mob violence unequivocally. Political use of mobs as instruments of influence-directly or indirectly-must cease. Redemption not retribution should be the practice in our politics and social culture.
Finally, community engagements are essential. Religious leaders, educators, and local influencers can play a pivotal role in diffusing tensions, countering rumors, and promoting a culture of tolerance and restraint.
As we have mentioned earlier, mob violence is not merely a breakdown of order.It is a breakdown of trust in state institutions, in justice, and in one another. And restoring that trust will require more than just policy measures - it will demand political will, institutional integrity, and societal introspection, or else the specter of mob violence will continue to ominously loom large over Bangladesh-turning streets into courtrooms, crowds into judges, and fear into a way of life.
History proves that Bengali nation are known for resilience, tolerance and social as well as religions harmony. The spontaneous jubilation by people of all ages on the Pahela Baishakh across the country yesterday once again demonstrated that the nation stand for peace, love harmony and abhor violence, intolerance and terrorism.
Today's mob menace in Bangladesh appropriately reminds that famous quote by Ralp Waldo Emerson - A mob is a society of bodies voluntarily bereaving themselves of reason.
We don't want such bodies to exist and flourish in Bangladesh.
