The Culture of Impunity and Bangladesh: Why Are Innocent Citizens and Women Being Scorned?

Atika Noori

Following the mass uprising, the expectations sparked in the hearts of ordinary people when Dr. Muhammad Yunus took charge were, in a word, sky-high. After more than a decade and a half of accumulated deprivations, stark discrimination, and mountains of injustice, people perhaps believed that everything would be remedied overnight by some political magic. Had the government managed to ensure at least a minimum level of good governance in some fundamental areas, this deep public distrust and disappointment would not have taken root. One critical issue must be highlighted—the restoration of law and order.

We envisioned a discrimination-free nation through this long-desired uprising—a country where the rule of law, stable administrative infrastructure, women’s safety, and the elimination of rape, murder, mob justice, harassment via malicious lawsuits, and physical assaults on innocent people would be fully realized.

The Reversal of Progress and the Brutal Reality of ‘Mob Justice’

We were optimistic about boarding a new train of progress. In post-uprising Bangladesh, there was a profound ambition to witness women’s empowerment across all sectors, especially in politics. Instead, we are witnessing the exact opposite: the country seems to be marching backward. Capitalizing on this transition, certain radical Islamist and far-right extremist groups have resurfaced, actively working to introduce Sharia law and drag the nation back into a dark, regressive era.

Lately, the spectacles unfolding under the guise of narcotics control are highly alarming. Attempting to eradicate drugs through “mob justice” is not a solution; rather, it poses a catastrophic threat to the rule of law. Today, a faction of newly emerged extremists and overzealous individuals are launching raids under the banner of anti-drug drives—vandalizing homes, looting property, and assaulting citizens. This begs the question: is there no longer a need for courts and the judiciary in this country? Why is the state spending immense revenues to run the Department of Narcotics Control or law enforcement agencies?

How can it be justified for a mob to gather, bind a suspect’s eyes, mouth, and hands, and inflict medieval-style physical torture in front of their elderly mother, based solely on unverified allegations of drug possession? Anti-drug stances are absolutely necessary. However, crime cannot be eradicated in any civilized nation by crippling the rule of law, forming mobs, and destroying citizens’ homes.

The ‘Pandemic’ of Violence Against Women and Rape

In today’s Bangladesh, the rape, torture, and murder of women and children have assumed the proportions of a contagious pandemic. To term rape a nationwide “pandemic,” how much more brutality must society witness? Regardless of our social strata, women of all ages are equally traumatized, terrified, and devastated by this pervasive threat. Who will rein in this darkness?

Combating rape and sexual violence requires a profound psychological and cultural counter-strategy deeply rooted in society. We need an intense, soul-searching awakening across every tier of society, from families to educational institutions. Yet, our judicial system and society appear stagnant. This powerful class of rapists and oppressors does not stop at sexual violence; they go on to brutally murder the victims and mutilate their bodies to destroy evidence.

Asiya from Magura or Ramisa from recent times—these are not just names; they are grim monuments to this culture of impunity. The news of the mysterious and calculated death of a young girl named Noyoni in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj, leaves us stunned. Statistics reveal that less than a quarter of the violence perpetrated against women and children in Bangladesh is ever reported in the media. Why is there such a surge in malice, instability, and criminal tendencies? Why must parents in an independent and sovereign Bangladesh live in perpetual anxiety over the safety of their daughters? Here, the voice of justice is literally weeping in silence.

If the answer remains unknown, then tell us this—after Asiya and Ramisa, who is next? Me, you, or the daughters of our next generation?

The Theorization of Crime and Defending the Rapist

The most alarming development is the growing trend of finding excuses for crimes rather than bringing the perpetrators to justice. Radical speakers like Enayetullah Abbasi attempt to find a twisted justification for almost every heinous act committed against women. On journalist Khaled Muhiuddin’s talk show, Abbasi went as far as to comment that a rape cannot be legally proven without the testimonies of four eyewitnesses and the perpetrator’s own confession! He further asserted that if Sharia law were established in the country, women would no longer be raped.

Those who offer implicit indulgence and backing to rapists and murderers by scrutinizing a victim’s attire, behavior, or using religious theories are equal accomplices to the crime. This regressive mindset only emboldens criminals to become more ruthless.

Politics and the Blatant Disregard for Women in Elections

Even after the new government took office, no visible or significant positive change has occurred in the law-and-order situation or the general national environment. To be fair, this is not an issue confined to a single government’s tenure; rather, it is a long-standing reality of Bangladeshi politics where post-election transitions trigger cycles of political vengeance, violence, and clashes that severely disrupt the lives and livelihoods of ordinary citizens.

However, the statistics regarding women’s inclusion in candidate nominations for the 2026 elections have deeply disheartened us. The number of female candidates on the electoral train was abysmally low. In several major parties, including the faith-based Jamaat-e-Islami, there was not a single female candidate. Jamaat and most mainstream political parties completely failed to prevent discrimination against women contesting direct elections.

In such a bleak reality, skepticism surrounding the growth of women’s empowerment in Bangladesh is entirely natural. We know that women have been the ultimate inspiration throughout Bangladesh’s long history of struggle. Yet, while women maintain a powerful presence on the streets during movements, we still see a severe gender imbalance at the decision-making table.

Why is Female Leadership Lagging Behind?

According to academics, state theorists, and women’s rights activists, this marginalization stems from systematic social and institutional barriers:

• Cyberbullying and Character Assassination: The moment a woman enters public life or social media, she is targeted with relentless trolling and malicious character assassination. Fearing this toxic backlash, families hesitate to support their daughters entering politics.

• Lack of Institutional Support: While political parties pay lip service to women’s rights, women rarely receive genuine institutional backing, protection, or reassurance from their party leadership during times of crisis.

It is a cruel irony that an uprising driven by an anti-discrimination movement has culminated in women becoming the ultimate victims of discrimination.

The Path Forward: Building an Inclusive State

The active participation of women in society, politics, and state policymaking is not a matter of charity or a simple quest for equality; it is a foundational prerequisite for building an effective, inclusive, and sustainable state.

1. Justice in Representation: Women constitute nearly half of the country’s population. Their absence from core decision-making tables highlights an inherent democratic deficit.

2. Qualitative and Humane Policy Development: Global research and practical experience demonstrate that involving women in leadership makes policies concerning education, healthcare, family welfare, workplace safety, and social justice far more realistic, compassionate, and humane.

Therefore, the state must look beyond tokenistic inclusion. Ensuring the effective participation of women—through education, specialized political training, safe and dignified working environments, and institutional legal protections—must be treated as an urgent national priority. Unless we dismantle this dark culture of impunity, the systemic neglect and suppression of ordinary citizens and women will never end.

The Writer is a women’s rights activist and columnist.