Mob culture will not be tolerated in Bangladesh: Advisor Zabihullah

Mob culture will not be “tolerated” in Bangladesh, says Md Ismail Zabihullah, the prime minister's advisor on public administration.

In response to questions from the media at a discussion marking the government's 180 days in power on Monday afternoon, the Zabihullah clarified the government's position.

The advisor was asked whether the culture of “mob justice” that emerged after the toppling of the prime minister was still in place. 

According to the information from Police Headquarters and other human rights organisations, nearly a hundred incidents have occurred under the BNP government and law enforcing agencies are not very proactive in this manner, a reporter said, asking what measures the government will take in the coming days to stop it.

In response, Zabihullah said: "Whenever there is mob culture, that culture is undesirable. I hope there will be no mob culture, it should never happen.”

‘‘I do not know of any clear example of the mob culture that you have said has happened recently. I say that, currently, there is no mob culture like the one that developed towards the end of the interim government. However, we can assure you that no such mob culture will be tolerated. The country will run according to the laws and we will enforce it, In Sha Allah.”

The Prime Minister’s Political Advisor Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, “I would like to add here that the level of mob culture has now gone down significantly. This mob culture developed due to political support. There is a hidden political influence here.”

‘‘I say that, as the rule of law continues to increase, this mob culture will decrease. Look at the rule of law that our honourable prime minister has declared his commitment to, no opposition political leader is facing harassment today due to any opposition opinion. As long as this environment of the rule of law prevails or as it progresses, mob culture will decrease.”

The exchange of views was held at the International Conference Centre Shapla at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon to mark the first 180 days of the government.

In this exchange of views, Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson Mahadi Amin presented data on the government's activities and achievements.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury, Foreign Affairs Advisor Humaiun Kobir, Information and Broadcasting Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health SM Ziauddin Haider, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Environment, Forest and Climate Saimum Parvez, the Prime Minister's Political Advisor Nazrul Islam Khan, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, and the Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman were in attendance.

The ministers and advisors answered questions from the media.