Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus, often invokes a profound philosophy while advocating for his Grameen Bank “Three Zeros” model: “Everyone is born equal; it’s the opportunity -- or the lack of it -- that shapes their future.”
This sentiment resonates deeply when I witness the tragic reality of the kishor gang (teen gang) phenomenon in our society. These teenagers and young adults, often arrested en masse for crimes -- some heinous -- present a heartbreaking spectacle. Their plight forces us to ask: Who are these children? What circumstances led them down this perilous path? And ultimately, have we, as a society, failed them?
I recall an incident from the mid-1980s when I was serving as a director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At that time, the nation was gripped by frequent hartals called by the anti-Ershad opposition. One morning, while commuting to the office on a rickshaw through an eerily empty Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, I encountered a group of young boys playing cricket on the deserted street. One of them, appearing like a slum-dwelling boy, no older than 12, wielding a stick with an air of authority, approached the rickshaw.
When he stopped my rickshaw, his harsh and threatening tone towards the puller -- an elder who could have been his father’s age -- shocked me. After striking the puller with his stick, the boy barely acknowledged my presence. Only when I explained I was heading to the hospital and showed my crutches did he relent, signaling the rickshaw to move on.
Incarceration often hardens young offenders, turning them into more dangerous criminals
This brief encounter left me disturbed. I couldn’t help but wonder what this boy and others like him would grow into over the next decade or two. Unfortunately, my fears were realized: Many of these children became part of gangs, engaging in robbery, hijacking, and violence. Tragically, they were often co-opted as foot soldiers by political parties, carrying out tasks like assaulting opponents, ransacking properties, or even committing murders.
These young people became fodder for political machinations, lured by the promise of easy money and power. Society, in turn, labeled them criminals and outcasts, condemning them to a cycle of police hunts, arrests, and imprisonment. Yet, as we readily brand them as societal threats, we must pause to ask ourselves a moral question: Are they solely responsible for their plight, or has the nation failed them?
A closer look reveals a grim truth. Most of these youths hail from slums, deprived of basic education, family support, or government interventions. Raised without guidance or opportunity, they drifted into delinquency and crime. Political parties exploited their vulnerability, hiring them as rally participants or street enforcers in exchange for meager sums. Decades of political instability further entrenched their descent into criminality.
The government’s current initiative to crack down on juvenile gangs -- apprehending and imprisoning them -- may provide temporary respite. However, this policy risks backfiring. Incarceration often hardens young offenders, turning them into more dangerous criminals. Upon their release, society could face an even greater threat from their anger and vengeance.
Instead, we must acknowledge our collective failure and embrace a more compassionate, long-term approach. These young people need opportunities to reclaim their dignity and reintegrate into society. Comprehensive vocational training, coupled with education, can equip them with the skills to lead productive lives. Some might even serve the nation as members of the defense forces or law enforcement agencies.
It is our moral duty to stop condemning them and instead empathize with them as victims of systemic neglect. Just as we care for children with autism or physical disabilities, let us view these juveniles as our “children in need.” They are not beyond redemption but require understanding, guidance, and a chance to rebuild their lives.
Let us transform this tragedy into an opportunity for societal healing, proving that every life, no matter how troubled, holds potential for change.
I urge the interim government to pay due attention to this grave social issue with compassion and humanitarian angle.
Ashraf Ud Doula is a former Ambassador and Secretary.
