Emran Emon

The recent incident of a female student of Dhaka University being sexually assaulted by a university employee on her way to university has sparked nationwide discussion. The accused, Mostafa Asif Arnob, works as an assistant bookbinder at the university’s central library. He allegedly abused the woman for not having her “scarf” in the right place, and so on. After the incident, the victim filed a case with the police station and the police arrested the accused. But the mob-forming group called “Tawhidi Janata” created a mob and eventually snatched the perpetrator from the police station with a garland of flowers around his neck and a copy of the Holy Quran hanging from his chest.

The incident of forcefully snatching the perpetrator from the police station showed a dangerous display of mob justice in Bangladesh. By unjustly forcibly snatching a proven perpetrator from the police station, welcoming him with a garland of flowers, and holding the Holy Quran in his chest—the rule of law of the country has been shown the thumbs down, as well as religion has been desecrated. Furthermore, the victim was reportedly coerced into withdrawing her case, with threats of rape looming over her. This incident is not just a violation of a woman's rights but a stark reminder of the growing influence of mob violence and the weakening of judicial processes in Bangladesh.

The most horrific aspect of this incident is the rise of mob justice, which blatantly undermines the rule of law. In a society governed by the principles of justice, the state holds the responsibility of investigating crimes and ensuring that offenders face due process. The act of a mob removing the accused from a police station, essentially bypassing the legal system, signals the growing disregard for the judiciary and its role in maintaining order and fairness.

When citizens take matters arbitrarily into their own hands, as seen in this case, it sets a dangerous precedent. Then the rule of law becomes irrelevant, and the very structure of democracy and justice is undermined. Mob justice creates an environment where those with the loudest voices and the most power can impose their ‘own form of justice’ without accountability. This approach may lead to wrongful accusations, unchecked violence, and a breakdown of civil society.

The “Tawhidi Janata,” in this case, may claim they are acting in defense of ‘morality’, but their actions send a much more alarming message: that the law can be disregarded whenever individuals or groups decide to take action. When mobs rule, there is no space for reason, fairness, or due process. This can only create chaos and insecurity within the society as well as the state.

Another tragic aspect of this incident is the reported pressure on the victim to withdraw her case. The victim, who had already endured a horrific experience, was further traumatized by the threat of rape, a chilling reminder of how women are often silenced in such situations. This practice of intimidating victims into silence is not just an isolated incident but a symptom of a much larger issue—a culture where victims are blamed and coerced into abandoning their fight for justice.

The very act of threatening a victim with further violence—in this case, rape—is a clear violation of their rights. It is not just an attack on their dignity but also an attack on their autonomy. The criminal justice system must stand as a pillar of support for victims, offering them protection and assurance. Instead, in this case, the system failed them both by not protecting the victim from further harm and by allowing the mob to take over the process.

What this incident highlights is the deep-rooted issues of gender inequality and victim-blaming in Bangladesh. Women, in many cases, are not seen as individuals with the right to seek justice but rather as objects whose suffering can be ignored or swept under the rug. The failure to protect female victims of sexual violence speaks to the systemic issues that need urgent attention, both at the institutional and societal levels.

This incident, while shocking, is unfortunately not an isolated case. In the last few months, we have seen an alarming rise in the prevalence of mob violence across Bangladesh. From the streets to educational institutions, mobs are increasingly taking matters into their own hands, resorting to violence and intimidation in the name of justice. This culture of mob violence is a direct threat to the structure of democracy, as it allows individuals or groups to bypass the law and impose their ‘own version’ of justice, often with disastrous consequences.

The phenomenon of mob justice not only endangers the legal system but also perpetuates a cycle of violence and fear. In this environment, the safety of citizens, especially women, is constantly at stake. The lack of effective law enforcement and the growing influence of vigilante groups embolden these mobs, making it more difficult to curb violence and uphold justice.

Moreover, the unchecked power of these mobs fuels a dangerous sense of impunity. When individuals or groups face no repercussions for their actions, they believe they can act with complete disregard for the law. This erodes trust in the state and its ability to protect its citizens.

In order to address the root causes of these issues, a comprehensive approach is required, focusing both on legal reforms and societal changes. The justice system must be strengthened to ensure swift and effective prosecution of perpetrators of violence, especially sexual violence. Police forces need better training to handle sensitive cases, and more importantly, they must be held accountable for their actions.

The judiciary must also be reformed to expedite cases involving sexual violence and other forms of abuse. Delays in the judicial process allow perpetrators to remain free, emboldening them and discouraging victims from seeking justice. The law must ensure that victims are not only protected from further harm but also supported in their pursuit of justice without fear of intimidation.

At the societal level, there needs to be a shift in attitudes towards women. A culture of respect, equality, and protection must be fostered, where women are not viewed as objects of violence but as individuals with the right to live free from fear. Education campaigns aimed at changing societal norms, as well as stricter enforcement of laws regarding gender-based violence, are crucial in this regard.

The recent ignominious incident with Dhaka University's female student represents a breakdown in the legal system, a failure to protect vulnerable citizens, and the alarming rise of mob justice. We, every individual, must work unitedly to confront these issues to protect the country from the clutches of evil forces. The message must be clear: justice cannot be taken into the hands of the mob. It must be upheld by the law, fairly, consistently, and without prejudice.

Until the legal system is empowered to function effectively, and until societal attitudes towards women are transformed, incidents like this will continue to occur, eroding the very foundations of our democratic society. Such an incident with a female student of Dhaka University has tarnished Bangladesh's image on the global stage and has branded Bangladesh as a violent country. The interim government must take effective steps to curb mob violence. It is time for Bangladesh to reclaim its commitment to justice, and to protect the rights and dignity of all its citizens. We must not forget former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom William E. Gladstone's famous maxim: “Justice delayed is justice denied”.

The writer is a researcher, journalist and columnist.