Fears are growing as ongoing election-related violence, attacks on cultural institutions, a shrinking civic space, and administrative inactivity cast doubt on the possibility of a peaceful and credible democratic transition leading up to the national election, speakers expressed at a dialogue held yesterday.
The dialogue, themed “National Election 2026: The Continuity of Violence and the Sense of Responsibility for Harmony,” was conducted by Sompriti Jatra at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in Dhaka.
During the discussion, speakers highlighted that the violence witnessed since the July uprising follows a persistent pattern, exacerbated by the government’s denial and lack of accountability.
Samantha Sharmin, the senior joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), pointed out that local instability is politically motivated by a faction within the interim government.
She raised concerns about the authority of Home Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, stating that blaming him is futile as he merely represents the government without much actual control.
Sharmin also criticized the government’s claims of maintaining law and order, labeling them as empty assurances.
“This is not simply denial. A significant portion within the government actively supports such instability,” she remarked, cautioning that political compromises were starting to undermine women’s rights.
Rafsan Galib, a journalist at Prothom Alo, highlighted the dangerous trend of the state consistently denying mob violence.
Galib referenced the attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, pointing out that threats and incitements to violence were openly circulated on social media by identifiable student representatives before the incidents, with no preventive actions taken by the authorities.
Anik Roy from the Network for People’s Action (NPA) stated that the July uprising stemmed from deep-seated insecurities in daily life, rather than a single issue like quota reform, emphasizing a basic demand for a secure living environment.
Prof Layeqa Bashir recounted losing her job at the University of Asia Pacific due to online harassment following a Facebook post on public safety and face coverings.
She criticized the university for succumbing to mob pressure instead of following due process.
Jamshed Anwar Tapan, the General Secretary of Udichi Shilpigoshthi, condemned the attacks on Udichi and Chhayanaut as expressions of hostility toward cultural freedom, warning that government inaction was emboldening such assaults.
Labour leader Shahidul Islam recalled instances of violence against workers before and after the July uprising, citing the deaths of garment workers in Gazipur during wage protests.
Fahima Nasrin Munni, the assistant international affairs secretary of BNP, linked election violence to years of flawed polls and democratic deterioration, highlighting the escalating harassment of women.
“Bangladesh is not Afghanistan,” she emphasized.
Shafayet Hossain Chowdhury from Maizbhandar Darbar Sharif connected the assaults on media and cultural institutions to previous silence regarding attacks on Sufi shrines.
Masud Rana, the coordinator of Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist), suggested that violence could be mitigated if authorities showed willingness to act, citing past elections where strong measures reduced unrest.
Arup Rahee, the convener of Lokayoto School, and Ibnul Syed Rana from Rashtra Sangskar Andolan highlighted that violence against minorities is rooted in systematic marginalization ingrained in state practices.
During a keynote presentation, it was revealed that between September 2024 and January 2025, 413 incidents of mob violence resulted in 259 fatalities.
The session was moderated by NPA leader Mir Hojaifa Al Mamduh.
