The brutal attack on Principal Nur Sakhawat Hossain Mia of Adiyabad Islamia High School and College in Raipura, Narsingdi, is a grotesque manifestation of mob culture.
A principal—someone who serves as a beacon of light in society and a builder of human character—was publicly humiliated at his own workplace in broad daylight by a group of unruly outsiders.
They even went so far as to drag him out of his office. It is deeply regrettable that the high status once accorded to teachers in our society is now being eroded due to the malicious activities of self-serving groups. Disturbingly, many among the current generation feel no pangs of conscience in humiliating an educator.
It is known that the root of this attack lies in attempts to serve personal interests and extortion under political patronage. Those who incite mobs seek to exploit situations for personal gain—an alarming sign for any civilized society.
During the tenure of the recent interim government, the tendency of mobs—unruly crowds—taking the law into their own hands became a routine occurrence. Across the country, many people were physically assaulted, and incidents of death and injury were reported due to mob violence.
According to statistics, from September 2024 to January 2026, during the 17-month rule of the interim government, at least 259 people were killed and 313 injured in 413 incidents of mob violence in Bangladesh. It appears that the poisonous tree of mob culture has yet to be uprooted, and the Raipura incident stands as clear evidence.
A “mob” generally refers to a group of unruly individuals gathered to achieve a particular goal, who may engage in violence either impulsively or in a premeditated manner. Often, they organize based merely on rumors and carry out acts of violence.
When ordinary people bypass legal procedures (police and courts) and directly punish a suspect through beating, torture, or killing, it is called “mob justice.” This has no legal validity; rather, it is considered a criminal offense—mob terrorism. Confronting this menace remains a challenge even for the current government.
In a civilized society where the rule of law is universal, mob justice is a primitive and barbaric practice that has no place in a healthy state system. In the current context, accused individuals often shift their allegiances with political changes and display power accordingly.
Had the rule of law been firmly established, such anarchy would not have arisen. Taking advantage of weaknesses in the state machinery, those who create mobs repeatedly destabilize society.
Regardless of their political identity or perceived strength, they are insignificant before the power of the state. If the state does not suppress this lawlessness with a firm hand, society will soon descend into a terrifying abyss of chaos.
No individual or group is above the law. To safeguard the state and ensure public security, the Ministry of Home Affairs must take immediate action against mob culture and similar reprehensible acts.
Unless the perpetrators are identified and given exemplary punishment, it will be impossible to eradicate this curse from society. We expect the authorities concerned to promptly ensure justice for this attack and to play a strong role in reestablishing the rule of law. Political identity or power must not obstruct justice.
We believe that to protect a proper educational environment and restore the social dignity of teachers, exemplary punishment for those responsible for inciting this mob is essential.