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A former police chief says the lack of response reflects complacency and suggests this issue be prioritised among the government's many tasks
Published : 19 Sep 2024, 04:31 AM
A troubling wave of mob justice has swept through Bangladesh, where groups of people are taking justice into their own hands, deepening the political, legal, and moral crisis that has gripped the nation since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.
The disturbing trend has sparked widespread concern and fueled growing chaos. While the interim government has voiced its unease, urging citizens not to bypass the law, there have been few instances of swift action taken against those involved in these acts.
A crime expert has raised alarms, warning that such incidents could lead to societal disorder, a disregard for the rule of law, and a future culture of revenge. He stressed the importance of preventing this at all costs.
Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua told bdnews24.com, “These kinds of actions will destroy the judicial process. If people stop trusting the courts and resort to mob justice, what is the point of having a justice system?”
Since the government was toppled by a popular uprising on Aug 5, attacks have been carried out on the homes of political opponents, shrines have been vandalised, and some students have been seen conducting ‘raids’ in various institutions. One incident that has sparked significant discussion is the harassment of several women on Cox’s Bazar beach.
A young man named Mohammad Farukul Islam, along with a few associates, formed a group and harassed women traveling alone, posting videos of the incidents on Facebook. Following public outrage, he was eventually arrested.
Earlier, in Dhaka’s Shyamoli area, a man named HM Russell Sultan posted a video on his Facebook account showing him assaulting several women he suspected of being sex workers. Although the video stirred conversation on social media and was covered by news outlets, no action was taken against him.
Despite the uproar, Mohammadpur Police Station chief Ali Iftekhar Hasan claimed to be unaware of the incident. He told bdnews24.com, “I haven’t seen the video. No one has come forward with a complaint. If a complaint is made, action will be taken.”
There has also been widespread criticism of incidents where teachers across the country have been harassed and forced to resign due to personal grievances. In some cases, defendants such as former minister Dipu Moni and former justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, have been attacked in front of police in courtrooms. Such trends have declined.
Professor Md Jahangir Alam of Dhaka University’s Department of Sociology told bdnews24.com, “Whenever an incident occurs, there are existing laws to deal with it. If everything is handled according to the law, stability in society can be maintained. This kind of situation, which is outside the law, is never desirable. Anarchy under the guise of mob justice is never acceptable.”
The issue was also raised during a meeting between Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and representatives of university and college students on Sept 8.
Following the discussion, Chief Advisor’s Special Assistant Mahfuz Alam said during a briefing, “The government’s position on mob justice is very clear. It will not be allowed in any form… If anyone commits a crime, there is no scope for taking the law into their own hands.”
In his address to the nation on Sept 11, Yunus warned that anyone who takes the law into their own hands will face punishment.
However, despite warnings and alerts, it is clear that these incidents have not stopped, nor is there much evidence of the government's strong actions to address them.
Former inspector general of police, or IGP, Nurul Huda has called for urgent action in response to these events. Speaking to bdnews24.com, he said: "A civilised society cannot exist if coercion prevails. These matters must be brought to the authorities' attention so that necessary actions can be taken."
When asked about the apparent lack of response from law enforcement and the government regarding these high-profile incidents, Huda remarked, "This reflects a certain complacency. The government has many tasks, but this should also be prioritised. Discipline must be maintained everywhere, and no sector should tolerate coercion."
The former IGP emphasised the need for urgent action against mob justice.
bdnews24.com could not reach Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for comment as to why there has been no visible action despite the government's expressed concerns over mob justice.
However, on Sept 4, when questioned by journalists at the Secretariat, he said: "The image of police is gradually improving. I don't have anything that will allow me to fix everything in a day. It will happen slowly over time.
"I cannot resolve everything in one day. We need time, and we are gradually taking steps to address it."
Speaking to bdnews24.com on Wednesday night, Inspector General of Police Md Mainul Islam said: "Some unruly incidents are happening, but as soon as we receive reports, we are rushing to the scene and taking necessary actions. We are vigilant regarding these matters. Even if an incident is reported to our national emergency service, 999, we are taking appropriate measures."
When asked why there have been no arrests except for one individual in the Cox’s Bazar women harassment case, he replied, "Arrests are an ongoing process. Many cases are being filed, and gradually, those involved will be brought under the law."
TEACHER HARASSMENT CONTINUES
A disturbing pattern of harassment against teachers, forcing them to resign, continues unabated in educational institutions, including universities. Despite hundreds of incidents where university vice-chancellors and teachers from various institutions have been harassed and forced to resign, no legal action has been reported in the media. Yet, in all these cases, the absence of arrests or legal recourse leaves educators exposed to further attacks.
In one shocking case, the headmistress, Jinnatun Parveen Dolly, and her husband Ashraful Haque were tied up and tortured in a classroom throughout the day to force their resignation at Reritala Academy in Naogaon on Sept 10.
The army and police rescued the two teachers, and they were treated at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Even after a week, no case had been filed as of Tuesday, confirmed Dhamoirhat Police Station chief Bahauddin Farooqui.
On Sept 5, at Yadunandi Nobokam Palli College in Faridpur's Salta Upazila, Principal Md Obaidur Rahman was beaten with a hammer and forcibly made to sign a resignation letter.
That night, Obaidur filed a case at Salta Police Station, naming 10 people. Salta Police Station’s SI Sujon Biswas told bdnews24.com on Tuesday, "No one has been arrested yet. It is heard that the accused may have obtained anticipatory bail from the court, but I am not certain about this."
On Aug 28, Nurul Islam, the principal of Hapaniya School and College in Naogaon, fainted after resigning under pressure from students and outsiders. He was admitted to Naogaon General Hospital, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, and later to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in Dhaka.
Naogaon Sadar Police Station’s OC, Zahidul Haque, told bdnews24.com, “No case has been filed, so how can anyone be arrested? I’ve heard that the teacher is now in good health, but he hasn’t approached us since.”
SHRINE ATTACKS IGNITE TENSIONS
A spate of shrine attacks across the country has heightened religious tensions and these assaults have created deep rifts within the Muslim community.
Despite government warnings and viral footage of the destruction, there has been little to no concrete action. The violence has escalated, even leading to deadly confrontations during the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday celebrations, all while authorities stand by in silence.
The Chief Advisor’s Office issued a statement on Sept 14, declaring that those involved in such incidents would be brought to justice swiftly and face strict legal consequences. The following day, the Ministry of Religious Affairs instructed district commissioners to take measures to maintain peace and order.
However, in the three days since, there has been no indication that any action has been taken against the perpetrators.
On the night of Sept 9, Hazrat Shah Paran's (RA) shrine in Sylhet was attacked anad damaged by a group of people wielding sticks. Eight days later, on Tuesday, Shah Paran Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Indranil Bhattacharya told bdnews24.com, “No one has been arrested, and no case has been filed because no formal complaint has been made. However, we have heard that the matter has been resolved locally.”
On the same day the Chief Advisor’s Office issued the statement, another attack occurred in Khadimpur, Shah Paran Police Station area, where Shah Sufi Abdul Qayyum’s shrine was destroyed. A video of the incident went viral on Facebook.
That same day, attacks were reported on the Fakir Charu Mizi Shah (RA) shrine in Laxminarayanpur, in Noakhali municipality, and on Shah Sufi Fasiuddin's (RA) shrine in Gazipur's Porabari area, where it was vandalised, looted, and set on fire. In Sonargaon Upazila's Sanmandi Union, the ancient Aynal Shah shrine was also demolished.
In Sirajganj, there have been reports of shrine attacks at three locations. Armed men vandalised Hazrat Baropir Gausul Azam Darbar Sharif in Shialkol Union, dug up three graves, and took bones and skulls. Two spiritual centres and a kitchen were also damaged.
Sirajganj Sadar Police Station chief Humayun Kabir said: “No cases have been filed, and no arrests have been made so far.”
Other shrines, including Ali Pagla’s in Bamnojani Bazar, Kazipur Upazila on Aug 29, and Ismail Pagla’s in Kalia Haripur village, Sadar Upazila on Sept 3, were also vandalised.
Meanwhile, rumours of an impending attack on Gulistan’s Golap Shah shrine in the capital led hundreds of people to gather there to prevent it.
Amid these attacks, clashes erupted on Monday during the celebration of Eid-e-Miladunnabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SM), leading to casualties, though no reports of police intervention have surfaced.
Professor Muhammad Shafiq Ahmed from the Department of Islamic Studies at Dhaka University has expressed concern that these incidents could increase religious fanaticism and division.
Speaking to bdnews24.com, he said: "There is no room for extremism when it comes to religion. In a state, there will be people of various beliefs and religions. Wahhabi and Salafi Muslims consider shrines invalid, but it should be investigated whether they are the ones responsible for these attacks or if there is another political motive behind it. However, regardless of who is behind this, such actions go against the core values of Islam, as there is no provision for carrying out such attacks in Islam."
BEATEN TO DEATH IN PUBLIC
On the night of Sept 7, former Chhatra League leader Abdullah Al Masud was beaten to death in Binodpur Bazaar, Rajshahi. In 2014, members of a student organisation affiliated with a political party had brutally attacked him, cutting off one of his legs and severing the tendons in his other leg and hand.
Masud, who had lost a limb, was working as a storekeeper at Rajshahi University’s medical centre. After the recent beating, a gravely injured Masud, while lying in custody at Boalia Police Station, asked or water, mentioning his young child.
Just three or four days prior, Masud had become the father of a baby girl. He was attacked while out buying medicine for his newborn. Allegedly, the same student organisation responsible for the attack a decade ago was behind this latest incident.
On Sept 8, Masud’s elder brother Md Behesti filed a case at Matihar Police Station in connection with the murder. However, the station's chief Md Ariful Islam confirmed that no arrests had been made.
Lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua told bdnews24.com, “The boy was once involved with Chhatra League in Rajshahi. In 2014, they severed his tendons. Since then, he had no involvement in politics. His murder appears to be a premeditated act, not just a case of mob beating. Based on the descriptions, it seems like a planned killing.”
Despite arrests of former members and supporters of the ousted government, these attacks continue to be carried out in groups. Former minister Dipu Moni was attacked in Dhaka, and retired justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik was assaulted in Sylhet, resulting in serious injuries to his testicles. Several journalists in Dhaka have also been beaten.
Barrister Barua emphasised, “It is crucial to bring those responsible for these incidents under the law and ensure they face justice.”
WILL IT BREED A DESIRE FOR REVENGE?
Md Tawohidul Haque, associate professor at Dhaka University’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research, and an expert in society and crime, said: "Mob justice never brings anything good. The person who is wronged today will wait for another opportunity to retaliate. One mob leads to many more mobs. In a society where the attitude of 'I will take justice into my own hands' prevails, it creates a chaotic environment. If someone is accused of something, legal action can be taken, but bypassing the law and taking matters into one’s own hands is never acceptable."
Professor Helal Uddin Ahmed, a psychiatrist, added: "When many people come together and attack someone out of personal resentment and vengeance, it’s more common in societies that are more belief-based and less knowledge-driven."
Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua said, "The primary reason behind such situations is the inaction of police. Initially, there was a lack of capability, and their moral stance was weak. When they attempted to make arrests, they often found themselves accused during the protests. The opportunities were limited at first, but now the situation has improved. Such excuses no longer hold."
