The country’s troubling pattern of mob violence, or lynching, has once again come under scrutiny following two separate incidents over the past two days, raising fresh concerns that such violence is not subsiding.
On Saturday, April 11, in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia, a man named Shamim Reza, also known as Jahangir, was beaten and hacked to death following allegations that he had posed as a “pir” and committed fraud as well as blasphemy. In another incident on Friday, April 10, in Shahbagh, Dhaka, a group of men and women attacked several individuals over allegations related to transgender identity and homosexuality.
The back-to-back incidents have renewed questions over whether mob violence in the country is continuing unchecked.
Earlier, similar sporadic incidents of mob violence were reported across different parts of the country. Following the national elections, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed made repeated remarks on the law and order situation. Responding to journalists’ questions, he stated that the country’s “mob culture has ended” and that such incidents would no longer occur. On March 30 in Parliament, he also said: “We will ensure freedom of expression and the right to organisation, but we must move away from the tendency of achieving demands through mobs.”
However, data and field realities suggest otherwise. According to human rights organisations, incidents of mob lynching have increased in the post-election period over allegations including theft, mugging, religious insult, and personal disputes. In many cases, victims died before law enforcement agencies could reach the scene. In some instances, even the presence of law enforcement was not enough to control the mob.
Experts say a culture of impunity, political polarisation, social intolerance, and the spread of online rumours are key drivers behind the rise in mob violence. They warn that without swift justice, effective rumour control, and stronger public awareness, the trend will be difficult to contain and may pose a growing threat to the rule of law.
Dhaka University Institute of Social Welfare and Research Associate Prof Dr Touhidul Haque said mob violence is unacceptable under any circumstances. He stressed that each incident must be properly investigated and that strict action must be taken, warning that failure to do so would further increase violence.
Ijajul Islam, executive director of the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), said the safety of life is a fundamental right in a democratic state. He warned that such brutal incidents are seriously undermining communal harmony and the human rights situation. He called for strict legal measures to prevent attacks on shrines, vandalism, arson, torture, and mob violence, adding that failure to act could further deteriorate the situation.
He also said that in March alone, at least 13 people were killed and 38 injured in 25 incidents of mob violence nationwide, involving allegations of theft, robbery, mugging, dominance, and religious insult. Over the past three months, a total of 49 people have been killed and 80 injured in 88 incidents.
According to a 2025 report by human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 197 people were killed in mob lynching or mob violence incidents during the year. In 2024, the figure stood at 128.
Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime and Operations) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said mob violence cannot be said to have completely stopped. He acknowledged that some incidents are still occurring, but said police are taking a strict stance and that each case is being investigated and acted upon. He added that swift measures have been taken in recent incidents.
