Rizvi Condemns Mob Attacks as Anti-Democratic

Senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have sharply criticised a recent spate of mob violence and attacks on institutions, warning that such actions pose a serious threat to the country’s fragile democratic environment. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General, described the formation of mobs and assaults on public and private establishments as “fundamentally anti-democratic”, urging citizens and authorities alike to resist forces seeking to destabilise the political process.

Mr Rizvi made the remarks on Monday morning, 22 December, after paying tribute at the grave of the late President Ziaur Rahman. The occasion marked the formal announcement of the central committee of the Jatiyatabadi Muktijuddher Projonmo (Nationalist Pro-Liberation War Generation), an affiliated platform of the BNP. Speaking to journalists following the ceremony, he expressed grave concern over what he described as a growing pattern of disorder across the country.

According to Mr Rizvi, incidents of mob violence and attacks on institutions have been occurring repeatedly in different regions, often under the pretext of various social or political issues. He warned that if such trends continue unchecked, they would further erode democratic norms rather than strengthen them. “Democracy cannot flourish in an environment where the rule of law is replaced by mob justice,” he said.

The BNP leader also highlighted long-standing grievances regarding electoral participation. He noted that many citizens have effectively been deprived of their voting rights for the past 17 years, creating deep frustration and a strong desire among the electorate to return to the ballot box. “People are eager to vote,” Mr Rizvi said, adding that there are groups actively working to destroy that opportunity by fostering chaos and uncertainty. He urged the public not to allow such “conspiratorial forces” to derail hopes for democratic renewal.

Calling for calm and restraint, Mr Rizvi emphasised the need to restore public confidence and normalcy. He reiterated the BNP’s demand for an environment conducive to a free, fair and inclusive national election, proposing February as a realistic timeframe to achieve this goal. According to him, only a credible electoral process can help ease public anxiety, reduce political tension and steer the country back towards democratic stability.

Political analysts note that concerns over mob violence and democratic backsliding have increasingly entered mainstream political discourse, with opposition parties warning that instability could undermine prospects for dialogue and reform. Whether the call for an inclusive election will translate into concrete political action remains uncertain, but Mr Rizvi’s remarks reflect mounting pressure from opposition leaders for a clear democratic roadmap.

Mr Rizvi concluded by urging all stakeholders to prioritise democratic principles over confrontation, warning that continued unrest would only deepen political uncertainty at a critical moment for the nation.