Opinion | From Democracy To Mobocracy: Bangladesh At The Edge Of Political And Moral Collapse |
Bangladesh teeters on the brink of chaos, where governance failure, radicalisation, and political violence are eroding the very foundations of democracy, secularism, and social cohesion.
The situation in Bangladesh deteriorated sharply after the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi on 18 December 2025, triggering widespread violence, mob attacks, and escalating political instability. In the aftermath, protesters targeted The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, and other media outlets, accusing them of political bias and, in some instances, alleged ties to foreign influence. These assaults on the press—core pillars of democracy—were contained only because security forces, including police and fire services, intervened; without their action, journalists and staff could have been burned alive. Mobs also vandalised public and cultural institutions, while protests near Indian diplomatic premises forced heightened security and the suspension of consular operations.
More disturbingly, the violence extended beyond institutions and political rivals. A Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched, tied to a tree, and burned alive in Mymensingh, with bystanders filming rather than helping. At the same time, a seven-year-old—the daughter of BNP leader Ayesha Akter—was killed when mobs set her family home in Lakshmipur on fire, leaving others critically injured. These incidents reveal a profound moral collapse, where mob violence overrides humanity and political differences justify extreme brutality against civilians, minorities, and even children.
Despite no credible evidence, India was hastily blamed for Hadi’s killing, even though Bangladesh’s law enforcement emphasised that the investigation is ongoing. As Additional Inspector General of Police Khandaker Rafiqul Islam noted, “We do not have specific information about the prime suspect’s last location… however, we have not received any reliable information indicating that he has left the country." Police also confirmed there is no verified evidence that the attackers fled into India.
Significantly, even within Bangladesh, this narrative is now being openly challenged. Sharif Osman Hadi’s brother, Sharif Omar bin Hadi, has accused Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ interim government of responsibility for the killing, claiming it aimed to disrupt the upcoming elections. Speaking at a Shahbagh rally, he said, “It is you who had Osman Hadi killed, and now you are trying to foil the election by using this as an issue."
Addressing a public gathering, he stated that his brother was committed to ensuring elections by February 2026 and that his murder was intended to sabotage that process. He further asserted that the interim administration cannot evade responsibility for a crime committed under its watch and demanded swift justice. While these allegations are still under investigation, they directly contradict the rush to externalise blame and reinforce the argument that the roots of the crisis lie primarily in Bangladesh’s internal political and governance failures rather than any foreign conspiracy.
From a strategic perspective, India has no interest........