As an unending vice of "mob culture" in the country worries all, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed warned from parliament that such predatory acts would no longer be tolerated.
"We will ensure freedom of speech and the right to organize. But we must move away from the tendency to realize demands through mob actions."
He made the remarks Monday in response to a question from Member of Parliament Rumeen Farhana during a session of the National Parliament, which just makes its start against the backdrop of political upheavals and regime change.
During the session, Rumeen Farhana raised concerns about the current "mob culture," referencing enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the previous interim government.
She said, "Statistics from September 2024 to January 2026 show that between 250 and 300 people have been killed as victims of mob culture. I myself was a victim on February 21. What steps is the government taking to stop this culture?"
In response, the Home Minister said, "After assuming office, we clearly announced that there will be no place for any form of mob culture in Bangladesh. The tendency to block highways or roads to press demands, which was seen during the interim government, will no longer be allowed."
Distinguishing between mob actions and organised crime, he added, "It would not be correct to label everything as mob violence. Attacks or vandalism targeting specific institutions are organised, premeditated crimes. Cases are filed, investigations are conducted, and the accused are brought to justice."
He further said, "People will always have demands but these must be expressed through democratic processes. Everyone has the right to submit memorandums to relevant ministries or departments, hold seminars, or organise public gatherings. We will ensure freedom of speech and the right to organise, but we must move away from the tendency to realize demands through mob actions."
The Home Minister also announced that a bill will be passed in parliament to provide legal and constitutional protection to the "July fighters" who participated in the July-August 2024 student movement. He made this statement in response to questions from MPs Akhtar Hossain and Zainul Abdin Farroque.
During the question-and-answer session, Salahuddin Ahmed said, "We are committed to granting indemnity to the July fighters, as stated in the 'July National Charter.' This is the sixth clause of our commitment. Based on this, the 'July Fighters Protection Ordinance' was issued during the interim government. It has now been placed in parliament along with 133 ordinances."
And a special parliamentary committee has been formed to review these ordinances and submit a report. The committee will discuss them on the 20th. "There is a consensus to present the July Fighters Protection Ordinance as a bill in parliament and pass it."
Responding to a supplementary question from Zainul Abdin Farroque, he said, "Those who carried out armed attacks during the July-August movement -whether they wore police uniforms or were terrorists from Awami League or its affiliated organisations-are all criminals.
"Cases have been filed against them. If any case has not yet been filed, you should do so. Every case will be properly investigated, and the judiciary will ensure justice, Insha'Allah."
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
