The fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, was a moment of profound significance for Bangladesh. As crowds surged into the streets of Dhaka, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of victory and hope. The long reign of Sheikh Hasina had come to an end, and with it, many believed, the oppression and authoritarian rule that had plagued the country for years. In those moments, the streets echoed with jubilation, a collective release of years of frustration and fear.
But beneath this celebratory atmosphere, a darker, more insidious trend was beginning to emerge—a trend that threatens to undermine the very foundations of the justice and democracy that so many fought for.
Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has seen a disturbing rise in mob justice, where ordinary citizens, emboldened by the chaos and uncertainty of the transition, have taken the law into their own hands.
This increase in mob violence has already claimed numerous lives, with the deaths of individuals like Tofazzal Hossain and Shamim Ahmed sending shockwaves through the nation. These events, once isolated to the margins of society, are now becoming alarmingly common, particularly on university campuses where students—those who were once at the forefront of the fight for democracy—have become the very perpetrators of this violence.
A Growing Concern in the Heart of Bangladesh
The case of Tofazzal Hossain is emblematic of this worrying trend. A familiar figure at Dhaka University, Tofazzal was mentally unstable, known to wander the campus and rely on the kindness of strangers for food.
On the night of September 18, 2024, he was accused of theft at Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall. What followed was a horrific sequence of events, where students—those regarded as the brightest minds in the country—subjected him to brutal beatings. They paused to feed him, mockingly photographing him during what they referred to as “The Last Supper,” only to resume their attack after the meal. Tofazzal was later pronounced dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The details of this incident are chilling, but perhaps what is most shocking is that it occurred within the walls of Dhaka University, a place that has long been associated with resistance, intellectualism, and political activism. The very students who were lauded for their role in overthrowing an authoritarian regime are now being implicated in acts of brutal mob violence.
Similarly, at Jahangirnagar University, Shamim Ahmed, a former leader of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), was beaten to death by students who accused him of attacking them during the quota reform protests. His death, like Tofazzal’s, raises serious questions about the rise of mob justice in post-Hasina Bangladesh and what it means for the country’s future.
The Dangers of Mob Justice
At the core of this rise in mob violence is a fundamental breakdown in trust—trust in the legal system, trust in the institutions that are supposed to protect citizens, and trust in the idea that justice can be achieved through due process.
For years, under Sheikh Hasina’s government, many felt that justice was something that only the powerful could access. Corruption, political patronage, and the weaponization of the legal system left ordinary citizens feeling powerless.
The fall of the regime should have been an opportunity to rebuild that trust. Instead, the opposite has occurred.
Mob justice is, at its essence, a form of vigilante violence. It is a response to the perceived failure of the state to deliver justice, but it is a deeply flawed and dangerous response. When mobs take the law into their own hands, they strip individuals of their fundamental rights—the right to a fair trial, the right to defend themselves, the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
In the case of Tofazzal, the accusations of theft were never substantiated, but it didn’t matter. The mob had already decided his fate.
This kind of violence undermines the very principles of justice and democracy that the student movement fought for. It is an unsettling reminder that even in times of political upheaval, there is a fine line between revolution and chaos. When citizens begin to believe that they can administer justice themselves, society risks descending into lawlessness.
The Historical Context of Mob Justice
Mob justice is not a new phenomenon in Bangladesh, but the scale and frequency with which it has occurred since Sheikh Hasina’s resignation is alarming. The country has a long and troubled history of extrajudicial violence. In 2019, Taslima Begum Renu, a single mother, was beaten to death in Dhaka’s Badda neighborhood after being falsely accused of being a child kidnapper. Her death sparked widespread outrage, but it also highlighted a deeper issue: the ease with which mobs can be incited to violence in a society where legal protections are weak.
What we are seeing now is a continuation of that trend, but with a new and dangerous twist. The fall of the Awami League has created a power vacuum, and in the absence of strong state institutions, mobs are stepping in to fill that void. The violence we are witnessing today is not just about individual acts of retribution—it is about a society that is struggling to come to terms with its own fractured identity.
The mob killings that have occurred at Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, and Rajshahi University in recent weeks are part of a broader pattern. They reflect a breakdown in the social contract, where citizens no longer trust the state to deliver justice.
This is particularly troubling in the context of Bangladesh’s universities, which have long been centers of political activism and intellectual discourse. The students who once fought for democracy and justice are now, in some cases, becoming the very perpetrators of the violence they sought to end.
The Role of the New Interim Government
Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina, the new interim government has struggled to assert control over the country. While the transition of power has been largely peaceful, the rise of mob justice poses a significant challenge to the government’s ability to maintain law and order. In the weeks since taking office, the interim government has made promises to restore the rule of law and address the country’s deep-seated issues of corruption and inequality. However, the events of the past month suggest that these promises will be difficult to fulfill.
One of the main reasons for the rise in mob justice is the perception that the legal system is not functioning properly. Under Sheikh Hasina, the judiciary was often seen as being under the control of the ruling party, with cases being used as political tools rather than instruments of justice. This has left many citizens disillusioned with the legal system, leading them to take matters into their own hands.
The interim government must act swiftly and decisively to address this issue. It is not enough to simply condemn the violence. The government must demonstrate that it is serious about restoring the rule of law by holding those responsible for mob violence accountable.
This includes not only arresting and prosecuting the individuals involved in the recent killings but also addressing the broader systemic issues that have led to the rise of mob justice in the first place.
The Responsibility of Universities
Universities have a crucial role to play in preventing the rise of mob justice. As centers of learning and intellectual debate, they are uniquely positioned to foster a culture of non-violence and respect for the rule of law. However, in recent years, universities in Bangladesh have become increasingly politicized, with student organizations often serving as proxies for the country’s political parties. This has created a toxic environment where violence is seen as a legitimate means of advancing political goals.
The murders of Tofazzal Hossain and Shamim Ahmed on university campuses are stark reminders of the dangers of this politicization. It is imperative that university administrations take steps to address the root causes of campus violence. This includes promoting dialogue and conflict resolution, providing students with access to mental health services, and fostering a culture of respect and tolerance.
University administrations must also take a more active role in preventing violence. This includes working closely with law enforcement to ensure that incidents of mob violence are dealt with swiftly and effectively. The expulsion of students involved in the recent killings is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to prevent future incidents.
A Path Forward: Rebuilding Trust and Justice
The rise of mob justice in Bangladesh is a symptom of a deeper societal issue—a lack of trust in the institutions that are meant to protect and serve the people. Rebuilding this trust will not be easy, but it is essential if Bangladesh is to move forward as a democratic nation.
The interim government must prioritize restoring faith in the legal system. This includes reforming the judiciary to ensure that it is independent and free from political interference.
It also means addressing issues of corruption within law enforcement and ensuring that police officers are properly trained and equipped to handle incidents of mob violence.
In addition to these institutional reforms, there must be a broader cultural shift. Mob justice thrives in an environment where violence is normalized, and citizens feel powerless to seek justice through legitimate means. Public awareness campaigns that emphasize the importance of due process and the rule of law can help change public perceptions and discourage individuals from taking justice into their own hands.
Finally, community leaders, educators, and activists must play an active role in promoting a culture of non-violence. The events of the past month have shown that Bangladesh is at a crossroads. The country has the opportunity to build a more just and equitable society, but it will require a collective effort to address the root causes of violence and restore faith in the institutions that are meant to protect us all.
The rise of mob justice in post-Hasina Bangladesh is a clear warning that the country’s transition to democracy is far from complete. The killings of Tofazzal Hossain, Shamim Ahmed, and others are tragic reminders of the dangers of allowing violence to replace justice. If Bangladesh is to move forward, it must confront this issue head-on, holding those responsible for mob violence accountable and rebuilding trust in the legal system.
The road ahead will not be easy, but it is a path that must be taken. The alternative—a society where mob justice reigns supreme—is too dangerous to contemplate. Now is the time for Bangladesh to come together, to heal from the wounds of the past, and to build a future that is based on justice, fairness, and the rule of law.
