By Shaharia Afrin After the government changeover in August last year, there have been one after another incident of mob violence in the country. According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 220 people were killed in mob violence in the 13 months until September this year.
Why is mob violence happening in our society? As a teacher in the Department of Criminology, I have to face this question. Research review shows that there have been incidents of mob violence in our history before. However, mob violence has now escalated to a more extreme level. It is happening in various forms. The reasons are wide-ranging. In general, you and I can protest if we see any injustice. We can speak out if we see a person involved in criminal activities. We can hand those people over to the police. If the police prove the crime, they will arrest the person and initiate further action. Action will have to be taken according to the prevailing laws of the country.
As the general public, the responsibility of handing over to the police can be fulfilled. That does not mean that the person who is considered a criminal can be beaten up, harassed, or tortured. Yet this is what is currently being observed. You cannot beat up a person in public. This practice violates various legal and human rights. Until the crime is proven, that person cannot be called a criminal or an accused. Our constitution, criminal law, and penal codeโno law gives you the right to judge anyone by creating a mob. Justice cannot be established through a mob. Rather, social unrest arises, and chaos is created. The more mobs are created, the more chaotic the environment becomes. Such behaviour is not desirable for any citizen. It creates a kind of insecurity. Political leaders have been seen sitting in front of their houses and creating mobs. Mobs have been created inside their houses. It has happened in various offices. I have seen it happen in our universities. It started first in schools and colleges. The headmaster, a senior teacher, or someone influential was harassed and forced to resign. He was thrown out of the office.
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The government did not take any preventive measures at that time. Rather, it was said that this was an expression of people’s anger. They thought that the gathering was not a mob but an expression of anger. Denying the mob incident further enraged the mob. The mob has empowered individuals to wield the law independently. People think that the judicial system is fragile. If I let them go, that person (who is considered a criminal) will get out through a loophole in the law. Legal action will not be taken against that person; he will not be punished. This is the responsibility we bear. We have to judge. People think that discrimination is happening. People are taking to the streets out of mental frustration. They want to express their views and feelings of frustration through participation in the mob incident. There appears to be no trial for any mob incidents. No mob incidents are tried. That is why more incidents are happening. The institutions are also in a fragile state.
Analysing some incidents of mob violence, it has been found that many were politically planned. Attempts have been made to normalise them. Houses have been robbed. Shops have been looted. The police played a passive role during these incidents. The police have also found themselves in risky situations. In one or two incidents, the police themselves have also been victims of mobs. I saw in a report that 477 police officers have been victims of mobs. Those who are in political parties also need to play an effective role against mob violence. Many times, when the police arrest someone on charges of a crime and bring him to the police station, a mob is created to rescue that person. When an individual perceives that even if they commit a crime, they will receive rescue, their fear of committing a crime diminishes. He continues to commit crimes because he does not fear punishment. The government, law enforcement agencies, political parties, media, and citizens must take initiatives to stop mob violence. The government must show zero tolerance against mob violence. The government must punish incidents of mob violence. If the government provides instructions stating that exemplary action will be taken against mobs and takes measures to publicise those instructions properly, mob violence will decrease.
Political party leaders and workers should be more aware. People are watching their activities. Elections are coming. The common people are closely monitoring all parties. Who is behaving in what way? That is why political party leaders and workers should not be involved in negative activities like mob violence. If any major political party announces that starting today, it will not support the mob. In that case, a Trinamool worker will reconsider participating in mob violence due to the fear of losing their position and concerns about their political future.
The flaws in the judicial process must be removed. Theory suggests that when people perceive their inability to exercise power in society, they become frustrated. At the same time, they see that a criminal is roaming freely. The criminal is not facing any punishment. Then anger arises among people. They try to take the law into their own hands. If there is a flaw in the judiciary, mob violence cannot be prevented.
The media can play a big role against mob violence. Media can analyze the negative effects of mob violence and help people understand. Discussions should focus on these issues. If explained simply, people will accept it.
As a woman, I will say that rapists are the most serious criminals for me. Still, I will say that, like the victim, rapists also have the right to go through the legal framework. People should come to a position against mob violence. If any suspicion arises, we should not commit mob violence. If we are aware of our responsibilities and fulfil them as responsible citizens, mob violence will not occur in society.
Shaharia Afrin, Associate Professor and Chairperson, Department of Criminology, Dhaka University
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