The latest report by the Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF) on the number of mob violence casualties should serve as a serious wake-up call.
According to the rights organization, at least 32 people were killed and 71 others injured in incidents of mob violence in May alone -- a sharp increase from April, and the highest monthly toll recorded in the past six months.
The figures paint a disturbing picture of a society where an increasing number of people believe they need to display a vulgar display of power.
This should be common understanding: Regardless of the accusation, no individual or group has the authority to bypass the justice system and dispense punishment.
When mobs are allowed to operate with impunity, the rule of law is weakened, innocent lives are put at risk, and public trust in state institutions deteriorates further.
While the government has repeatedly stated that mob violence will not be tolerated, the persistence and escalation of these attacks suggest that deterrence remains insufficient.
It is high time that authorities move aggressively to establish a clear precedent: Participation in mob violence will result in swift arrest, prosecution, and meaningful punishment. High-profile cases should be fast-tracked through the courts to demonstrate that collective violence carries serious consequences.
At the same time, law enforcement agencies must improve rapid-response capabilities in areas where such incidents frequently occur. Rumours and accusations spread rapidly through social media and local networks, often triggering violence before facts can be established.
A coordinated monitoring and intervention mechanism involving police, local administrations, and community leaders is, therefore, urgently needed to prevent gatherings from turning into lynch mobs.
No democratic society can function when citizens take the law into their own hands. Only by ending the culture of mob violence can Bangladesh strengthen its rule of law and, in turn, its standing as a truly sovereign nation.
