logo
One year of violence: How mobocracy has replaced democracy in Bangladesh

One year of violence: How mobocracy has replaced democracy in Bangladesh

Time of India23-07-2025
One year of violence: How mobocracy has replaced democracy in Bangladesh
Jayanta Kalita
TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Jul 23, 2025, 18:49 IST IST
Amid political uncertainty, Bangladesh has seen a sharp surge in mob violence and lynchings since the 2024 ouster of the Hasina regime. While such incidents are not new to the country, the recent spike is largely attributed to the breakdown of effective policing and law enforcement
Bangladesh has been engulfed by unchecked mob violence and killings, arbitrary detention of civilians and a troubling rise in attacks targeting the Hindu minority since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government nearly a year ago.
Just last week, deadly clashes erupted during a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally in the hometown of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's founding father and Hasina 's father. The rally descended into chaos as hundreds of supporters of the former prime minister confronted police, resulting in five fatalities.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Decoding RSS: Ten Key Tenets Of World's Largest Voluntary Movement
Decoding RSS: Ten Key Tenets Of World's Largest Voluntary Movement

News18

time3 hours ago

  • News18

Decoding RSS: Ten Key Tenets Of World's Largest Voluntary Movement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the RSS for its selfless contribution to nation-building from the ramparts of the Red Fort during his Independence Day speech It is very difficult to understand the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) but very easy to misunderstand it. This is what can be said about the largest voluntary movement in the world that is completing 100 years on this year's Vijayadashami. That is also the reason for a political debate that has started after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the RSS for its selfless contribution to nation-building from the ramparts of the Red Fort during his Independence Day speech. Let us take a look at 10 key tenets that are key to understanding the RSS: First, RSS is not an organisation in society, but it is organising society. So, it can't be looked at from the traditional or any other existing lens of analysing non-governmental organisations or, in fact, any other organisation. Second, RSS's only work is to create people with strong character who are committed to the service of the society and nation. Whatever work is done, it is done by the RSS volunteers known as 'swayamsevaks". And as they work closely with society in different fields, the credit for any change or betterment goes to society itself. Thus, neither the RSS nor its volunteers seek recognition for any achievements. Third, the objective of the RSS is to transform society. This 'transformation" would be achieved, according to the RSS, when every individual would get an opportunity to realise their full potential. Fourth, when this objective is achieved, the RSS should just merge with the whole society and vanish. And when history is recorded, no credit should be given to the RSS, as it is the society that has transformed itself. Fifth, the RSS believes in a holistic perspective and not a binary vision. It doesn't believe in the fragmented vision of 'majority vs minority" or 'left vs right". For the RSS, all Bharatiyas are part of one nation. Sixth, when the RSS talks about Hindu unity, it doesn't associate the word 'Hindu" with a religion or a way of worship. For the RSS, the word 'Hindu" denotes all those who consider Bharat to be their motherland and are committed to serving her. An individual going to the mosque or a church or even an atheist is as much a 'Hindu" for the RSS as an individual going to the temple if he or she is ready to live and die for Bharat. Seventh, the RSS believes that the concept of 'secularism" was picked up from the West and imposed on India in the post-Independence era by politicians and intellectuals who were not rooted in the cultural ethos of Bharat. The concept of 'secularism" as it is applied today was a typical Christian response to intra-Christianity wars and the dominance of the Church in Europe. The Christian wars in the 16th and 17th centuries had ravaged Europe, as the Church was intertwined with the State in such a manner that one couldn't segregate the two. The French Revolution laid down the foundation for the principle of laïcité—the separation of religion and the State. In 1905, France formally codified it as a law. The rest of Europe broadly followed this principle. Indian intellectuals and politicians who were in awe of 'Western liberalism" or 'Marxism" picked up this idea and thrust it upon India. In the Indian civilisational construct dating back several millennia, religion never dominated the State because we were ruled by the concept of 'dharma"—a set of eternal values that has nothing to do with any particular way of worship. Eighth, the RSS associates 'religion" with a way of worship and 'dharma" with a set of eternal values that have been driving Bharat's civilisational journey since the beginning. This set of eternal values is 'Hindu Dharma". So, when the RSS talks about the concept of 'Hindu Rashtra", it implies a nation that is constantly guided by 'dharma", not by any 'religion". Ninth, the RSS believes that we as a 'nation" are different from the modern 'nation-states". Our idea of nationalism is different from the West's idea of nationalism. Noted historian David Sasson, who earned his PhD under Eric Hobsbawm, one of the foremost authorities on Western nationalism, observed in his introduction to a collection of essays and lectures by Hobsbawm, 'On Nationalism", 'In Europe, nationalism was the product of the 'dual revolutions', the French Revolution and the British Industrial Revolution. The rise of the 'White man's nationalism' in Europe resulted in colonisation of large parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, civil wars within the Western nation-states, countless military conflicts between nations, at least two world wars and ethnic cleansing of minorities in the Western countries by the dominant political powers who had captured the power riding on the wave of 'nationalism'. That is why significant sections of the society as well as the academia, media and intelligentsia in the West are wary of 'nationalism'. In the West, utterance of the word 'nationalism' brings back memories of loot, plunder, bloody wars and a quest for material wealth and military superiority. 'Hindu Nationalism' is quite different from European or Western Nationalism. The trajectory of European nationalism and Hindu nationalism are altogether different. Radha Kumud Mookerji, known for his monumental work on history and culture of India. has explained the difference in his seminal work Nationalism in Hindu Culture published in 1921. According to Mookerji, it is a mistake readily to assume that the origin of that remarkable social phenomenon of nationalism is to be found in the West; that it is a genuinely Western product imported into the Eastern countries long after their growth and development; that the Eastern mind was completely a stranger to the very conception of the mother country, a sense of natural attachment to her, and a corresponding sense of duties and obligations which the children of the soil owe to her. Such misconceptions are due to a colossal ignorance of the culture of the East. Even in the dim and distant age of remote antiquity, unillumined by the light of historical knowledge, we find the underlying principles of nationalism chanted forth in the hymns of the Rig Veda embodying the very first utterance of humanity itself. That book, one of the oldest literary records of humanity, reveals conscious and fervent attempts made by the Rishis (seers), those profoundly wise organisers of Hindu polity and culture, to visualise the unity of their mother-country, nay, to transfigure the mother earth into a living deity and enshrine her in the loving heart of the worshipper." Tenth, and the most interesting tenet of the RSS philosophy, is that there are two kinds of people in our society—those who have joined the RSS and those who would ultimately join it. That is why the RSS doesn't respond to even its most vicious critiques, and history has been a witness—there is no dearth of RSS-baiters who later became the most committed swayamsevaks. The writer is an author and columnist. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. tags : hindu Narendra Modi rss view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 20, 2025, 04:29 IST News opinion Right Word | Decoding RSS: Ten Key Tenets Of World's Largest Voluntary Movement Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...

Bhanu Attri makes history as British Royal Navy's first-ever Hindu chaplain
Bhanu Attri makes history as British Royal Navy's first-ever Hindu chaplain

India Today

time5 hours ago

  • India Today

Bhanu Attri makes history as British Royal Navy's first-ever Hindu chaplain

The UK's Royal Navy has appointed Bhanu Attri, originally from Himachal Pradesh, as its first-ever Hindu chaplain, marking the first time a non-Christian has been officially entrusted with offering spiritual support within the naval force.39-year-old Attri will provide pastoral care and guidance to officers and sailors based on the teachings of Hinduism, reflecting the Navy's broader commitment to diversity and appointment follows a rigorous pathway distinct from other cadets. He completed six weeks of officer instruction, including survival training and four weeks at sea aboard the warship HMS Iron Duke, before undertaking three weeks of specialised chaplaincy training to prepare for his unique responsibilities. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated Bhanu Attri on his achievement, describing it as a matter of pride for both the state and the the role as 'a profound honour,' Attri said, 'As a Hindu brought up in India, the opportunity to represent individuals from diverse religions brings meaningful representation for the Hindu community and reflects the Navy's commitment to spiritual care for all. My family feels immense pride, a pride grounded in generations of faith, service, and resilience.'The Hindu Council UK (HCUK) welcomed the milestone, having recommended Attri for the post. The council outlined stringent criteria for the chaplaincy, including physical and mental fitness, deep grounding in Hindu philosophy, leadership experience, pastoral abilities, and strong interfaith and cultural integration skills.'The training can be arduous, requiring medical fitness standards and readiness for duty 24/7 at short notice,' noted Anil Bhanot, HCUK's advisor to the Ministry of Defence. He added that Attri's appointment could encourage more young British Hindus to explore military careers, emphasising, 'Although our spiritual bhoomi (land) is India, our karmabhoomi is the United Kingdom — and the MoD represents our protective arm.'Attri was among 148 new officers who completed the Royal Navy's Initial Officer Training at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth. Over 29 weeks, cadets were trained in leadership, naval history, seafaring, survival, and teamwork. The course culminated in a formal passing-out ceremony attended by families, friends, and senior naval leaders, where the new officers were recognised as the 'leaders of tomorrow.'- Ends

Bangladesh Army chief vows support for 'free, fair and neutral' elections
Bangladesh Army chief vows support for 'free, fair and neutral' elections

India Today

time7 hours ago

  • India Today

Bangladesh Army chief vows support for 'free, fair and neutral' elections

Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman on Tuesday said the military was ready to assist the interim government in ensuring "free, fair and neutral" parliamentary elections, scheduled for February next year."The country is heading towards the national election, and the army has taken all necessary preparations to support the government in ensuring a free, fair and neutral election," he said, as quoted by Bangladeshi media The army chief made these remarks at the Officers' Address programme held at Dhaka Cantonment, attended by senior officers in person while others from different cantonments joined his address, General Zaman called on soldiers to uphold discipline and professionalism. "The people of the country are now looking to you. You are the future of the nation. Therefore, you must remain inspired by patriotism and uphold the chain of command of the force," he told also responded to negative remarks about the army circulating on social media. "Those making such remarks are young, like our children. They will understand their mistakes as they grow older and will feel ashamed," he POWER DYNAMICS IN PLAYBangladesh has faced political turmoil since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5 last year. In the aftermath, an unelected interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus took prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has re-emerged as the largest party after Yunus' interim administration allowed Awami League activities through an executive the National Citizen Party (NCP) -- formed by members of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), which led protests against Hasina -- has entered into politics with apparent support from Yunus. Reports claim the NCP has developed links with the far-right Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist factions, putting it at odds with the repeated promises from Yunus and his advisers about holding free and fair elections on schedule, political parties remain wary. Many are uneasy about the growing influence of the NCP, along with its rhetoric and POLLS ROADMAP TO BE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEKEarlier this month, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus confirmed that elections would be conducted in February. The Election Commission later announced that the 13th parliamentary polls would take place in the first week of the top polls body will announce the action plan for the upcoming general elections within this week.- EndsWith inputs from PTIMust Watch

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store