Mob justice must not be condoned

Recent media reports of escalating violence and mob brutality are deeply disturbing. The frequency of these incidents raises grave concerns about erosion of moral values and its potential to undermine the very foundation of a civilized society. It is not merely the killings that are deplorable, but the myriad of other bloodcurdling atrocities, lynching victims on mere suspicion and vengeful acts that have never before had such a free rein. How far can society withstand such lawlessness is a question that disturbs all sensible people.
Eight people were allegedly beaten to death in three separate incidents last Wednesday in Wari, Jatrabari and Tongi on various charges. Nowadays, mob beatings routinely occur in different parts of the country, and each incident appear barbaric, tragic and more shameful than those before. Even if the allegation brought against the victims were true, no one has the right to take the law into their own hands. The law is the invisible line drawn between the civilised and the uncivilised. What provoked a mob which is devoid of all human kindness, compassion and deference for the law and a citizen's right to life to pounce on victims? The perpetrators usually escape prosecution because they leave no identifiable evidence that the police can trace. But even if they did, the police seem to take a lenient view of such mob crimes, especially in such an explosive time.
Mob violence has been a long-standing problem in Bangladesh. Since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, the mob frenzy turned for the worse. For three days there was no government, which is unprecedented. The police were running for life to escape revenge attack from the public for about a week. Lawlessness filled the abyss left behind by the fallen government.
Chief Adviser to the newly formed interim government, Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, declared that restoring law and order was his first priority and made an impassioned plea that nobody should be harmed. His good intentioned call apparently fell on deaf ears. Angry mobs continued to rule the streets. The rise in incidents of mass beatings, public assaults, tying up individuals and suchlike are a disturbing manifestation of the erosion of human values, intolerance towards differing beliefs. Many are questioning whether Bangladesh, in its fight for democracy, is descending into mobocracy.
Mob rule does a great disservice to society. Not only is it unequivocally a criminal offense, but also generates social tension and threatens to tear at the very fabric that unites the nation in peace and harmony. When coercion and domination become ingrained in society, reason and tolerance are often ignored. Mob rule makes a mockery of law and order, justice, and human rights and the authorities should not condone these atrocious instances of violence. Both state and society must play a proactive role in fostering all that benefits humanity, fosters religious tolerance, and respect for the law. Offenders must be brought to justice and the rebuilding of the new Bangladesh must go forward uninterrupted.
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