The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Mohammad Yunus, on Friday unequivocally condemned the violence witnessed in the country following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key Inqilab Mancha movement leader. Hadi was shot in the head earlier this month by assailants during an election campaign event and died at a hospital in Singapore while undergoing treatment.
The interim government issued a statement after a night of violence that targeted Indian missions, media offices, and press people, and political leaders, calling on the citizens of the country “to resist all forms of mob violence”.
The Yunus government said the mob violence was led by a few “fringe elements” who also targeted Sheikh Mujib’s residence-turned-museum.
“We strongly and unequivocally condemn all acts of violence, intimidation, arson, and destruction of properties,” the government statement read.
It added that the country was going through a “critical moment” and its citizens must not allow “it to be derailed by those few who thrive on chaos and reject peace”.
The interim government further said that the upcoming February elections and referendum are “inseparable from the dream” of Sharif Osman Hadi, and “honoring his sacrifice and memory demands restraint, responsibility, and abiding commitment to reject hatred”.
The government also came out in support of “journalists of The Daily Star, Prothom Alo and New Age” who were targeted during the mob violence.
India, Bangladesh must not allow any forces to disrupt relations: Saran
Yunus govt condemns lynching of Hindu man
The Yunus government also condemned the lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh, stating that “there is no space for such violence in new Bangladesh”.
It may be noted that in the middle of the ongoing anti-India protests, a mob attacked and lynched a young Hindu man in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district. The factory worker was targeted after allegations spread that he had insulted Islam. According to local media reports, the body of 30-year-old Dipu Chandra Das was later set afire by the mob.
What happened in Bangladesh?
The South Asian country descended into widespread violence Thursday night after coordinated mobs ran riot across the capital Dhaka and many other cities. The violence that continued into early Friday was triggered by the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, who was a prominent leader of Bangladesh’s student uprising in July last year that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. The former Bangladesh PM is currently living in exile in New Delhi.
Following the violence, there are renewed concerns regarding internal security, press freedom, and the safety of diplomatic missions in Bangladesh. Indian missions in Khulna and Chattogram were on the target of the irate mobs, who also attacked political leaders and journalists who have been critical of the current regime.
The mobs targeted the offices of the Daily Star and ‘Prothom Alo’ newspapers and the liberal cultural organisation ‘Chayanaut’.
Through the night, slogans like “Boycott India”, “Burn Awami League dens”, and “Hadi’s blood will not go in vain” were heard through the streets of Dhaka and other cities.