Mob violence persists despite assurances

Independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana on Monday told Parliament that incidents of mob violence are still occurring despite repeated assurances from the government to put an end to such practices.

Speaking during a discussion under Rule 71 at the Jatiya Sangsad, she said the Home Minister had assured lawmakers multiple times that mob culture would be eliminated and justice ensured. However, she pointed out that such incidents continue to take place across the country.

Representing the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, Farhana said Bangladesh has increasingly experienced a rise in “mob culture” over the past one and a half years, with a noticeable surge in recent months.

She alleged that mob-related incidents have been linked to several high-profile developments, including the removal of a Bangladesh Bank governor, harassment of a BSS chief, and disturbances at Barishal court premises and the Supreme Court lawyers’ room. She also mentioned attacks on media outlets such as The Daily Star and Prothom Alo.

Farhana highlighted fatal incidents of mob violence, including the lynching of a suspected robber in Chattogram and the recent killing of a spiritual leader in Kushtia.

Drawing the attention of the Home Minister, she said such incidents tend to increase when people are deprived of justice. She cited public frustration, inequality, and the lack of exemplary punishment as key factors contributing to the trend.

She also noted that justice has yet to be delivered in the Chattogram lynching case, even after a long time, raising concerns about accountability.