Progga Das

In present-day Bangladesh, a brutal and barbaric practice is steadily expanding its name is mob lynching. It is a silent form of terrorism, where cruelty is legitimized in the name of justice. The law stands paralyzed, justice steps back, and in an instant, an enraged crowd assumes the role of judge. What follows are blows from sticks and stones, until a lifeless body collapses onto the blood-soaked ground.

This is what mob lynching is a realm where suspicion becomes the ultimate proof, and vengeance is the only verdict.Mob lynching is no longer an isolated incident; it has become a violent expression of the deep-seated anger, frustration, and distrust towards the law enforcement system within our society. This psychological trend is fundamentally opposed to human rights and violates the rule of law. When people believe that taking the law into their own hands is an alternative to fair justice, it signals a grave moral decline within society.The root causes of mob lynching lie hidden in two psychological layers: fear and revenge.

When the path to justice seems inaccessible and unattainable, the flames of vengeance ignite in the darkness of lawlessness. People start to believe that the judicial system is ineffective. Even if criminals are arrested, they will walk free under the shadow of influential figures, escaping punishment through legal loopholes. As a result, a long-standing rage brews in the hearts of the public, which can erupt violently at the slightest suspicion.Moreover, the rise of social media and the spread of rumors have further fueled mob lynching. In today’s digital era, false information spreads like wildfire through platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp.

A small suspicion or a piece of misinformation quickly escalates into a dangerous wave of fury. The most terrifying part is that, in many cases, innocent people fall victim to mob lynching based purely on suspicion.In the last seven months alone, 119 people have been killed in mob lynching incidents, with the number of occurrences rising almost fourfold compared to the previous period.

This is not a trivial figure. The belief that beating a suspected criminal to death establishes justice has taken root in the very fabric of society, worsening the frequency of such incidents.Mob lynching is essentially a horrifying manifestation of "crowd mentality." An individual may never even contemplate murder on their own, but when immersed in an agitated mob, their moral compass shatters. Humanity fades away, respect for law and order crumbles, and a strange, primal force pushes them to commit unspeakable acts. The dormant violence within them awakens, and they become part of the mob’s collective brutality.Behind this horrifying trend also lies the culture of impunity. To curb mob lynching, it is crucial to restore the public's trust in the legal and judicial systems. Judicial reform is necessary. To firmly establish the rule of law, the judicial process must be expedited. Law enforcement agencies need advanced training and enhanced capabilities

. Additionally, modern technology should be integrated into evidence collection, allowing swift and accurate investigations and the prompt delivery of justice. If needed, fast-track courts can be introduced to speed up trials.A significant step would be tackling rumors head-on. Specialized monitoring teams must be formed to counter misinformation on social media. Immediate actions should be taken against posts inciting violence, with exemplary punishments to deter others from spreading false information without verification.Moreover, the political protection of criminals must end. The belief that "the law is equal for all" must be restored without it, stopping mob lynching will be impossible.

Public awareness campaigns are essential. Schools, colleges, and community levels must promote consciousness. People need to understand that taking justice into their own hands is a crime. Stopping one crime by committing another does not bring justice, it only breeds more chaos.Ultimately, a strong, humane, and legal culture must be established one where people firmly believe that punishing a criminal can only happen through justice delivered by the courts and legal authorities. Mob lynching is not merely a twisted response to crime and it reflects the collective failure of law, the state, and society. When the law fails, society fails too. Every blow of mob lynching does not just kill an individual , it strikes at the very heart of the nation. Bloodshed in the name of justice can never bring peace.If the state fails to restore law and order, if judicial reforms do not occur, and if people continue to take the law into their own hands, the nation’s overall social stability will spiral into a cruel abyss.

Blood cannot be washed away by blood. Without strong legal roots, mob lynching will only grow more ferocious. The state must wake up now. otherwise, this violence will only escalate.Preventing mob lynching is not solely the responsibility of the government or law enforcement , it requires a collective societal effort. By respecting the law, raising public awareness, and handing over suspects to legal authorities, we can overcome this perilous issue.As conscious citizens of this country, we must unite against mob lynching and dedicate ourselves to building a just and humane society.

The writer is a, Student, Department of Economics Eden Mohila College