Witnessing various incidents in the present society, many are asking: What kind of society are we living in? After coming such a long way in the march of civilisation, are human beings once again returning to barbarism?
The situation has reached such a point that there seems to be no place—on land, in water or in the air—where people can feel safe or at ease.
Recently, the 13-year-old child of a female teacher at Comilla University went missing and was later found murdered. Police initially suspect that the killing may have stemmed from an attempt to snatch an iPhone, possibly at the hands of a friend.
The investigation will undoubtedly reveal the truth. But one question remains: the child had left home with his mother’s iPhone, excited and trusting, to take pictures with his friends, only to lose his life at the hands of one of those very friends.
What could be more tragic than this? When a mobile phone becomes more valuable than friendship, trust, and even human life, what kind of barbaric society are we creating?
This is not an isolated incident. The situation around us seems to be raising the same question. Fights over trivial matters, robbery, mugging, murder, rape and acts of violence—what is not happening?
Recently, a video of a fierce altercation between two passengers on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight went viral on social media. In Khulna, a private university student was allegedly beaten to death after being accused of stealing and eating rice at his mess.
Earlier, a man was reportedly tortured with a brick tied to his back over an allegation of theft, and he later died. It is only natural to ask: can the punishment for two handfuls of rice or an allegation of petty theft be the destruction of a human life? Is this the society we aspire to build?
Economic uncertainty, unemployment, poverty and social inequality may all contribute to rising criminality. But can we end the discussion by blaming economic hardship alone? How much moral education are we providing within our families?
Are parents paying sufficient attention to what their children are learning, whom they are mixing with and what they are watching? Are educational institutions properly fulfilling their responsibility to shape responsible human beings?
We may have forgotten that maintaining law and order is not solely the responsibility of the police; it is also a social responsibility. Families, educational institutions, religious and social organisations—all contribute to building a healthy society. Are we really moving in that direction?
There has been no shortage of discussion about the alarming spread of drugs. Newspapers have reported that drugs are entering the country through border routes, and that their devastating effects are leading some young people, in particular, astray.
Drug-related crime is also increasing. There have been allegations that drones are being used to smuggle drugs across the border. If true, this is deeply alarming. Technology that is used to deliver relief to remote areas or save human lives could, in this country, become a tool for drug trafficking.
If that happens, the consequences could be grave. For this reason, demands for better infrastructure and surveillance in border areas, including the construction of border roads, deserve serious consideration.
Above all, public confidence in the rule of law must be restored. The perception that people can commit crimes and get away with them must be brought to an end.
Wise people have long observed that society cannot be kept peaceful through strict laws alone. Above all, people’s conscience must be awakened.
Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: “Whoever kills a soul, it is as if he had killed all mankind.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:32). These words alone make clear how profoundly human life is valued. But the question is: to what extent are we embracing this teaching?
Why is there so much anger towards others over such petty interests? Why should a life be taken over a phone, two handfuls of rice or a small amount of property?
Killing a person does not merely destroy the dreams of a family; it also kills the conscience of society. Therefore, if we are to restore normal life in society, we must first awaken the humanity within each individual. Because even where laws exist, there can be no peace in a society without conscience.
