Mst. Mishkatul Islam Mumu :
Bangladesh is going through an unstable time. When the legal and justice system becomes weak, people take the law into their own hands. Recently, we have seen a dangerous rise in mob beatings. In different places, people are punishing others in the name of justice, which is a risky trend. This not only worsens law and order but also destroys our social and moral values.
In English, this is called a “mob trial,” which can be translated as “justice by an angry crowd.” However, in newspapers or police reports, it is commonly referred to as “mob beating.” Recently, some brutal killings have made this issue widely discussed. After the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, several mob beating incidents have raised public concern. Criminals are taking advantage of the changed situation and taking the law into their own hands. The practice of punishing criminals through mob beating is not new, but when it becomes frequent and violent, it becomes a threat to the state.
There are several reasons behind mob beatings, such as distrust in the law, rumors and misinformation, instant revenge, and the aggression of a gathered crowd. Many people believe that even if they hand over a criminal to the police, proper justice will not be served, so they try to punish the person themselves. Sometimes, innocent people become victims of attacks due to rumors spread through social media or word of mouth. Additionally, when someone is caught stealing, snatching, or kidnapping, an angry crowd tries to take revenge. In a large crowd, individual thinking decreases, leading to mass violence.
The consequences of mob beatings are extremely serious and harmful to society. Many times, innocent people lose their lives or get severely injured due to rumors or misinformation. If people lose faith in the legal system, it weakens the rule of law. This creates fear and uncertainty in society, leading to a cycle of violence and disorder. The families of victims may develop a sense of revenge, increasing the chances of future conflicts. Moreover, such incidents harm the country’s reputation.
Since the main reason behind this is the culture of impunity and the lack of justice, the solution is to ensure that no criminal escapes punishment. To prevent mob beatings, the law must be enforced properly, public awareness should be increased, and social values should be strengthened. Criminals must be punished quickly and fairly so that people do not feel the need to take the law into their own hands. At the same time, it is necessary to educate people about the dangers of rumors spread through social media or by word of mouth. Strict monitoring is needed to prevent the spread of false information. By promoting education and morality, we can make people more patient and less violent.
Above all, the state must take a strong stand against mob beatings. Law enforcement agencies need to be more efficient, neutral, and accountable. People’s trust in the justice system must be restored, and criminals must be punished through proper legal procedures.
Let us all say “No” to mob beatings. We must remember that mob beating is not a solution. It may be an expression of temporary anger, but in the long run, it will cause serious harm to our society.
(The writer is a student, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Jagannath University, email: mishkatislam102@gmail.com)
