No let-up in mob violence

Although government bodies, civil society and political parties consistently oppose mob terrorism, incidents of collective violence continue across Bangladesh. There is no let-up in mob violence even after the national election, an elected government and parliament. Allegations are now being raised that the unelected interim government under Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus instigated and sponsored 'mob culture' during the last one and a half years of interim government. 

Recent incidents renewed concern over the trend. On 10 April, 60 to 70 individuals under 'Azadi Andolan' allegedly attacked transgender persons in Shahbagh. The platform Convener Md Shahriar Alam, a Dhaka University student and Khelafat Chhatra Majlish leader, said, "Sometimes, for the needs of society, people need to go above the law and work," adding he would consider death in such actions a "path to paradise".

On 11 April in Kushtia, Peer Shamim Reza alias Jahangir was beaten and hacked to death over an old video. His followers were also attacked and a shrine vandalised by 'Tawhidi Janata'. On 13 April,  muezzin Abdul Shakur was severely assaulted in an attempt to killing in Rangunia. In Panchagarh, a Jamaat linked union chairman organised a mob attack on a Union Parishad official. In Dhaka, Jubo Dal leader Moin Uddin Moin was accused of attempting to mobilise a mob at a hospital, with Professor Kamrul Islam linking it to exclusion from supply related activities. In March 2026, content creator Deen Islam was abducted and killed in Brahmanbaria. Earlier, Jatiya Party leaders were attacked at the Central Shaheed Minar and National Memorial by NCP activists. On 7 April, Md Abdul Hai (75) was killed in Noakhali following extortion related allegations.  

Pattern linked to Tawhidi Janata
A pattern of incidents under the banner Towhidi Janata has been reported across Bangladesh involving shrine attacks, killings, cultural disruption and mob mobilisation, with limited accountability and repeated recurrence.

In 2013, Hefazat e Islam Bangladesh raised allegations related to Towhidi Janata. In 2016, ahead of Nasirnagar unrest, protests were held over a Facebook post on the Kaaba. In December 2016, opposition to a Supreme Court Themis sculpture led to demands for statue removal, and it was removed in May 2017.

On 20 October 2019 in Bhola, protests over alleged blasphemy escalated into clashes causing casualties, with Hefazat later threatening Shapla Chattar. In 2021, violence after a Quran related incident in Comilla spread to Chandpur and Bandarban, leaving four dead and around 50 injured in Hajiganj and causing attacks on Hindu temples in Lama.

After 5 August 2024, incidents increased. On 13 September 2024, Sylhet shrine demolition was reported. On 22 November 2024, Lalon Mela and Mahati Sadhusang were closed; in December 2024, Urs in Narayanganj was blocked. In September 2024, Dewanbagh Darbar Sharif in Mymensingh was attacked and shrines in Sherpur and Shariatpur vandalised. In November 2024, protests targeted Prothom Alo and The Daily Star offices and Mehazabeen Chowdhury's Chittagong event was obstructed.

On 14 February 2025 in Tangail, Valentine related vandalism led to postponement of cultural events. On 28 January 2025 in Joypurhat and Dinajpur, women's football matches were blocked causing injuries. In January 2025, a Bangabandhu mural in Sylhet was demolished. On 20 February 2025, a shrine in Noakhali was attacked. On 21 February 2025, a Dhaka rally demanded Hefazat's 2013 13 point agenda. On 28 February 2025 in Dinajpur, a shrine was vandalised and burned during Urs preparations.

On 5 March 2025 in Dhaka, Towhidi Janata members demanded release of a harassment accused at Shahbagh police station, who was later granted bail after alleged pressure. In November 2025, Baul artists were attacked in Manikganj and Thakurgaon, continuing disruption of Baul, Lalon and seasonal cultural events. From 2013 to 2025, the pattern shows repeated shrine attacks, cultural suppression and mob mobilisation under Towhidi Janata, often preceded by online campaigns and followed by weak enforcement.

The then adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mahfuz Alam warned Towhidi Janata stating, "Refrain from oppressing, otherwise you will definitely be oppressed". 

Mob violence and interim government
Since 5 August 2024, rising moral policing and vigilantism have been reported, which critics link to weak control under the interim government. Incidents include political attacks, mob beatings over allegations and assaults on law enforcement.

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) reported 198 mob deaths in 2025 compared to 128 in 2024. Over 18 months, 308 deaths were recorded. MSF documented 428 incidents in 2025, three times higher than 2024, with 166 deaths and 460 injuries.

Reports also claim that during the interim period some groups were labelled "pressure groups", contributing to political intimidation and collective violence. Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Zahed Ur Rahman stated that mob violence was widely tolerated by the interim government, creating a culture of vigilantism.

Senior Journalist Masud Kamal said Dr Muhammad Yunus relied on "mob" based governance rather than institutions, while Anis Alamgir accused that Dr Asif Nazrul was the commander of Yunus's mob army. 

During the late interim period, Osman Hadi was murdered in Dhaka, followed by the killing and burning of Dipu Das, with Md Masum later granted interim bail.

Continued violence after elected government
Even after the elected government assumed office following the 12 February elections, mob violence persisted. On 15 February, officials allegedly removed Bangladesh Bank official Ahsan Ullah through mob action.

Government leaders pledged action. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed declared "mob culture is over", and the ruling party announced zero tolerance. Despite this, 21 mob related deaths were reported within 1 month and 25 days of taking office. 
HR reports indicate 98 victims in Jan-Feb 2026 and 88 incidents in Jan-Mar 2026 resulting in 49 deaths and 80 injuries, involving accusations such as theft, kidnapping, intimidation and religious insult.

Responses and proposed measures
Experts cite impunity, polarisation, intolerance and misinformation as key drivers. They recommend a judicial commission on shrine attacks, fast track trials, a special intelligence unit for online hate speech, accountability for police negligence, victim compensation and anti extremism awareness programmes.

Human rights activist Md Nur Khan Liton said, "No effective action has been taken and that various groups are exploiting mob violence for gain. Analysts call for strict enforcement and speedy justice, warning against replacing legal process with vigilante action."

Professor Anu Muhammad describes the violence as politically driven authoritarianism with discriminatory impacts on minorities, calling for stronger cultural resistance and state led awareness campaigns promoting constitutional values and anti discrimination principles.

Analysts further note that mob violence increasingly operates under religious political mobilisation, with weak state enforcement contributing to repeated attacks on Bauls, Fakirs and Sufis.