Teachers’ network demands that mob terrorism be prosecuted as a crime against humanity

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The University Teachers’ Network has expressed deep concern over the recent mob violence in various parts of the country, including Shahbagh, Rangpur and Kushtia’s Philipnagar in the capital. The organization’s statement on Monday afternoon condemned these incidents and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved, considering mob terrorism as a crime against humanity.

The statement made four demands on behalf of the teacher network. They are the mob terrorists who attacked and killed in Shahbagh, Rangpur and Philipnagar in Kushtia and brought them to justice as crimes against humanity; immediate unconditional release of Sheikh Tasnim Afroz Imi and reinstatement of Sahara Chowdhury Rebil’s studentship; Focusing on improving the overall law and order situation and working towards building a tolerant society, taking legal steps to control and disarm intolerant forces.

It is said in the statement, Salahuddin Ahmed said in the first press conference after the victory in the 13th National Parliament election, “Mob culture is over.” This message of the Home Minister gave relief to the public. But it appears that the BNP government is also showing utter failure in curbing mob violence, which is disappointing.

Recalling the declaration of BNP before the elections to capture the spirit of Bangladesh’s freedom struggle and liberation war, the teachers’ network said in a statement, “But we saw that during the tenure of this government, a priceless tradition of the freedom struggle was first affected – the famous speech of March 7.” A Dhaka University student, Shamsunnahar, was attacked by anti-liberation war mobsters for playing this speech publicly, Sheikh Tasnim Afroz Imi, a former VP of Parliament and one of the front-line fighters of the anti-dictatorship popular uprising. Not only was he infected, but he was arrested that evening. The demand for Imi’s release was raised from various parts of the society, but the government did not heed it. The predator has been out on the loose and the victim has been held innocent for over a month!’

The statement raised the question whether the BNP government will bow down to mob-terrorists like the unelected interim government. At least eight human rights activists, including a teacher from a private university, were injured in the attack on a group of friends in Shahbagh on April 10, the statement said. Although the incident site was in front of Shahbagh police station, the police did not take immediate action. It is also claimed that the general diary (GD) and FIRs were not accepted when the victims of the attack went to file them.

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On the same day, a youth named Rakib Hasan was hacked to death due to a drug-related dispute in Rangpur. To divert the incident, houses and shops belonging to the minority Hindu community were attacked and vandalized in an area of ​​the city the next night. The statement also mentioned that although some people have been arrested in the murder case, no effective action has been taken against attacks on minorities.

Apart from this, on April 11, a person named Abdur Rahman alias Shamim was killed in an attack on a Dargah in Philip Nagar of Daulatpur Upazila of Kushtia. Allegedly, the atmosphere of this attack was created by spreading an old video on social media, alleging blasphemy. The attackers also vandalized and set fire to the Durbar. The entire Bangladesh has been affected by a terrible outbreak of killing someone using religion as a strategy. The shelters of Baul-Pirs along with shrines and dargahs are being affected.

Teachers’ network claims that, as in the past, a culture of impunity has been created due to not taking effective action against those responsible in these incidents. As a result, renewed mob violence may be encouraged.

The statement urged the government to take swift and strict measures to ensure the safety of minority communities and curb mob violence. At the same time, the media is urged to play a responsible role in presenting these events.