Renowned actress Mehzabien Chowdhury has raised a critical question regarding the normalization of mob violence in Bangladesh. This comes after the tragic death of Tofazzol, a mentally unstable man who was beaten to death on September 18, 2024, in Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall at Dhaka University, under the suspicion of being a thief.
Tofazzol’s death has sent shockwaves across the country, with people from all walks of life condemning the act. Mehzabien, in a heartfelt Facebook post, expressed her deep concern, asking, “Why are we normalizing mob lynching?” The actress’s question resonated with her fans and the public, sparking widespread discussions about the issue on social media.
Many of her followers expressed their support, drawing parallels between this incident and the infamous case of Abrar Fahad, a Dhaka University student who was beaten to death in 2019. One comment reflected this sentiment, stating, “Abrar asked for water in his final moments, and Tofazzol was offered rice. Both incidents feel eerily similar. Justice must be served immediately.”
Another supporter, Shahrif Sarkar, pointed out the harmful practice of shifting blame based on political affiliations, stating, “It seems everyone thinks they’ll escape punishment if they pin the blame on another party. But wrongdoing is wrongdoing, regardless of political sides.”
The underlying frustration is evident, with many agreeing that the rising trend of vigilante justice is eroding the fabric of society. One commenter warned, “If strict punishment for offenders isn’t enforced, the situation will worsen and lead to more chaos.”
In response to the incident, Dhaka University administration filed a case with Shahbagh police station on September 19, 2024. The case was officially registered following a formal complaint by Aman Ullah, the supervisor of the university’s estate office.
Mehzabien’s stance has reignited the debate around mob violence and the urgency of implementing stringent legal actions to prevent future occurrences of such inhumane acts. The call for justice grows louder, with demands for accountability and a swift legal response, echoing across the nation.