Mob justice on the rise: A serious concern for society

The term "mob justice" has been increasingly prominent in recent discussions. When formal justice mechanisms fail, people sometimes take the law into their own hands, leading to what some refer to as mob beatings or crazy public justice. Since the student-peole uprising on August 5 that led to the fall of the Hasina government, mob justice has been a persistent issue in Bangladesh. This phenomenon has become a serious concern, threatening the integrity of the country's judicial system, law and order, education, culture, economy, and foreign investment.

Initially, mob justice was seen as a manifestation of public anger towards the previous government. However, it did not stop there; it has been perpetuated by certain instigators. Interest groups have kept the cycle of mob violence going, often manipulating students to lead these actions. The violence began with attacks on homes and places of worship belonging to minority communities and the destruction of various sculptures. It then extended to targeting school, college, and university teachers, many of whom were forced to resign under duress. This included many innocent and reputable individuals. Moral policing has become prevalent, with students reporting and harassing others without cause. This has escalated to the destruction of shrines and religious sites.

In addition to these issues, there have been incidents of political opponents being beaten to death by mobs. The government has struggled to control these events and has largely failed to address the situation effectively. The prevalence of mob justice is exacerbated by governmental inaction and failure. In many cases, student-led mob justice has been exploited by vested interests for purposes of looting and revenge. For example, the Gazi Tyres factory has been repeatedly set on fire and looted, resulting in the unemployment of 4,000 to 5,000 workers. There are no clear answers regarding how these workers will find new employment.

Mob justice, or mob lynching, is a severe social issue and a heinous crime with a long history. One of the most infamous examples of lynching is the crucifixion of Jesus. Historically, lynching was a common method of punishment. Even a figure considered divine was not spared from the brutality of the mob. Throughout history, lynching has often been used as a tool of political control, supported directly or indirectly by rulers and institutions. Ancient Persia, Greece, and Rome all employed lynching as a means to quell rebellion and dissent. Victims were often crucified or subjected to brutal public executions, with their bodies left in a visible and degrading manner to serve as a warning. Such practices were intended to demonstrate the severe consequences of opposing the ruling authorities.

The root causes of mob justice run deep, reflecting broader public health and social issues. Mob justice occurs when a group of people, driven by fervor, takes the law into their own hands, serving as their own accuser, judge, lawyer, and executioner. This process unfolds rapidly, leaving the accused with no opportunity to defend themselves. The outcomes are often severe physical or mental harm, rather than death. This chaotic form of public judgment creates a momentary collective mindset where individual character, life, profession, intellect, and judgment are disregarded. The individual becomes isolated from their own thoughts and feelings, subsumed by the collective frenzy of the mob.

What often starts as an act of violence by a few quickly escalates as the mob, infected with a sense of righteous indignation, inflicts further harm. In societies plagued by ignorance, lawlessness, delayed justice, and widespread mistrust of the legal system, mob justice becomes a significant problem. In developing countries, such frenzied public trials are increasingly common, with a daily occurrence in some African nations and a rising trend in Asia and India.

In any society, people strive for a peaceful and healthy life by adhering to social norms and rules. While most follow these regulations, some deviate and succumb to immediate, short-sighted thinking. These individuals are often the perpetrators of mob justice. It is crucial to consider the long-term impact on those who have been publicly beaten and how they face their families, neighbors, and society afterward. The behavior of the perpetrators—who often do not hide their actions or seek societal approval—further compounds the issue. Understanding the consequences for both the victims and perpetrators is essential in addressing and mitigating the effects of mob justice.

In violent incidents, three main elements drive the frenzy: the perpetrator, the victim, and the spectators. These bystanders can quickly become involved, escalating the situation and amplifying the victim’s emotional and physical trauma, sometimes leading to death. A few years ago, family and social norms were more cohesive, and protests against such organized injustices were more effective. Back then, protests from the community helped curb the rise in crimes. Today, while protests still occur, they often come too late and are more reactive than preventative. The effectiveness of these protests is questionable. For real impact, protests should arise from the families and neighbors of social criminals, emphasizing a collective response from individuals, families, neighborhoods, and society at large. It’s easy to blame others, but addressing the root causes is crucial.

The interim government must act swiftly. The continued inaction of the police and administration after passage of a month is unacceptable. Following August 5, many police stations were set on fire, and officers were branded as 'murderers' for their response to protests, which has severely undermined their effectiveness. The police force, plagued by fear of retaliation, job insecurity, and accusations, has become largely ineffective. Similarly, the administrative system has been weakened. Instead of addressing corruption, promotions within government institutions have favored those with political connections, including officials with proven allegations of corruption. Such officials have received multiple promotions in a short period, further undermining the integrity of the administration.

With the police and administration failing to function effectively, some individuals are taking the law into their own hands, engaging in vandalism and violence as self-appointed guardians of the state. The interim government must act swiftly to halt this anarchy. To safeguard the country and its economy from such reckless behavior, justice must be administered within the legal framework, not through so-called student-led mob justice.

The government must decisively curb these acts of vigilante justice and reassert the rule of law. This requires the prompt activation of the police and administrative systems, as well as an increased role for the necessary military forces. It is crucial to remember that those who defy the state and enforce their own version of justice are engaging in fascist behavior. The establishment of fascism is unacceptable and must be prevented at all costs. Immediate action is required to prevent the resurgence of such dangerous ideologies.

Author: Columnist