Alarming rise in vigilantism

What was witnessed at Dhaka University's Fazlul Huq Hall last Wednesday is a crime, a tragedy and a heinous act that stunned the entire nation. Woefully, however, it was a mere replay of what often occurs in different parts of the country, yet each incident appears as barbaric and tragic.

Tofazzal Hussain was what one might describe as 'a harmless man', in his 30s with mental disabilities and used to wander through the university grounds, surviving on the kindness of students who gave him food. On that fateful evening, however, he was roaming near Fazlul Huq Hall, and some students jumped to the conclusion that he was a thief responsible for stolen phones. Instead of making enquiries and verifying their suspicions or seeking help from the authorities, they detained, interrogated and tortured him.

Under intense questioning and non-stop beatings, Tofazzal agreed to tell them whom the real thieves were if they give him something to eat. The students then fed him, but Tofazzal failed to give the promised names. This infuriated the students and they beat him more - from 10:00pm to midnight. They beat him mercilessly to the threshold of death. The university authorities eventually intervened, but it was too late, the damage had been done. The university proctorial team then whisked him off to Shabagh Police Station. The on-duty police officer told them to take the body to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he was declared dead. All of this barbarity was committed on mere suspicion!

According to subsequent media reports, Tofazzal was not a thief, just a man suffering from mental illness, a victim of circumstances beyond his control. Orphaned, emotionally shattered, and socially isolated, he sought food on the university campus and tried to befriend students. One of the most disheartening aspects of this tragedy is that Tofazzal was once a brilliant student at Patharghata Degree College. His life's downward spiral began following the deaths of his parents and brother. His father died in an accident in 2016 and his mother died from cancer in 2019. His elder brother, who was a police officer, also died of cancer in 2023. His mental health deteriorated after that. He didn't live anywhere for long and drifted between his hometown Barguna and Dhaka.

There is no evidence to say he was a phone thief. Even if he were, no one had any right to lynch him. He could have been arrested and treated in the legal way. The students no doubt filled with rage and false pride failed to act responsibly by taking the necessary steps to verify his antecedents.  So, they will have to live with that shame for the rest of their lives.  How can a place that is supposed to be a bastion of knowledge and morality harbour students who have become devoid of human kindness, compassion, and respect for the law and the right to life?

The case of Tofazzal Hossain, however, is not isolated. In just over a month, 21 people have been killed in mob lynchings throughout Bangladesh, a shocking reminder of the country's deteriorating law and order. These incidents have become disturbingly common, with two mob killings taking place within hours of each other at two of the nation's premier universities. At Jahangirnagar University, Shamim Molla, a former Chhatra League leader, was also fatally beaten by students.

Although the authorities were quick to jump into action to nab six of the DU students who lynched Tofazzal till Saturday, the same cannot be said in the case of other incidents in the last few weeks. As a result, mobs are increasingly taking the law into their own hands, confident they will escape punishment.  Issuing statements alone will not restore order; what is needed is stern action to stem the tide of violence.

[email protected]