We unequivocally condemn the brutal mob lynching of a pir in Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila, reportedly over allegations of hurting religious sentiments. The victim, Abdur Rahman alias Shamim al-Jahangir, was beaten and hacked to death by a mob at his darbar, which was vandalised and set ablaze. This reprehensible act once again shows how mob violence, often fuelled by rumours and religious incitement, continues unabated in Bangladesh with impunity. As of this writing, no arrest has been made in the Kushtia murder case.
Mob violence saw a sharp rise during the interim government, claiming 197 lives in 2025 alone. With the return of an elected government in February this year, we hoped such lawlessness would come to an end. But the brutality of the Kushtia killing suggests that those behind mob violence still remain emboldened. Just a few days ago, another violent mob assaulted at least four people near the Shahbagh police station in Dhaka. Many of these attacks take place in plain sight, with law enforcement members failing to intervene even if they are present at the scene.
In the first quarter of 2026, 49 people were reportedly killed in 88 mob-related incidents. Attacks targeting shrines, Baul singers, religious minorities, and other vulnerable groups have become disturbingly regular. This state of affairs points to a serious failure of law enforcement in the country. In Kushtia, the authorities reportedly knew about the possibility of an unrest, and police were also present there. Still, they failed to prevent the attack. There was no strong and immediate response from the government either, which is equally frustrating. At a time when a clear condemnation and warning could have reassured the public, the government’s silence sent the wrong message. Meanwhile, the Kushtia pir’s family has reportedly decided not to file a case, likely out of fear and insecurity. This is most unfortunate and utterly unacceptable.
We urge the police to file a case and launch a thorough investigation into Shamim’s murder, and arrest everyone involved. The government must send a strong message that mob violence will no longer be tolerated by ensuring proper punishment for the perpetrators. It must also take action to stem the spread of hate speech and incitement and strengthen preventive measures at the community level. If left unchecked, this trend of mob violence will continue to erode public trust in the rule of law and threaten our social fabric. As we celebrate Pahela Baishakh today, the government must reaffirm that no violent groups can attack our diverse social and cultural practices and traditions in the name of religion or any other pretext.
