Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday voiced serious alarm over the worsening law-and-order situation in Bangladesh, cautioning that the rise of mob violence, growing intolerance, and attacks on institutions pose grave threats to democracy, press freedom, and regional stability. He stressed that the current trajectory is deeply troubling and called for an urgent return to democratic normalcy as the country approaches national elections scheduled for February 2026.
Reacting to the recent lynching of a Hindu man, Tharoor said such acts of brutality must not be allowed to become normalised. According to reports, the victim, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, was accused by a mob of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. The mob allegedly beat him to death, tied his body to a tree, and set it on fire. Tharoor described the incident as emblematic of a dangerous breakdown in social order and warned that unchecked mob rule undermines the rule of law and fundamental human rights.
Placing the incident within a broader context, Tharoor noted that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs—of which he is chair—has consistently underscored the importance of peace, stability, and strong bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh. He emphasised that developments across the border have direct implications for India as well, particularly when violence spills over into threats to diplomatic missions and cross-border mobility.
With elections slated for February, Tharoor stressed the necessity of restoring democratic normalcy and public confidence. He said the prevailing atmosphere of fear and vigilantism is profoundly concerning and warned that such conditions are harmful to both countries. He reiterated that peace and stability in Bangladesh are essential for the well-being of the region as a whole.
In a detailed post on X, Tharoor said he was “deeply concerned” by a series of reports emerging from Bangladesh, highlighting targeted mob attacks and arson directed at leading media organisations, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. He characterised these incidents as not merely assaults on individual newsrooms, but as direct attacks on press freedom and the foundations of a pluralistic society.
Tharoor also expressed concern for the personal safety of journalists, naming senior editor Mahfuz Anam among those at risk, and underscored that journalists should never have to fear for their lives or livelihoods while carrying out their professional duties. He said attacks on the media corrode democratic accountability and silence independent voices at a time when transparent reporting is most needed.
Additionally, Tharoor flagged the forced suspension of visa services at the Indian Assistant High Commissions in Khulna and Rajshahi due to escalating security threats. He said these disruptions have had immediate and tangible consequences for ordinary people—students, patients, and families—who had only recently begun to experience a return to normal cross-border movement.
As Bangladesh prepares for elections on February 12, 2026, Tharoor warned that the prevailing climate of violence and intolerance bodes ill for a free and fair democratic process. He urged the interim authorities to take decisive steps to protect journalists, secure diplomatic missions, and restore calm through inclusive and constructive dialogue. Tharoor said Interim Chief Mohammed Yunus must personally assume leadership to prevent anarchy, uphold democratic norms, and steer the country back toward stability.
Separately, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs has cautioned that the unfolding situation in Bangladesh could evolve into India’s most significant strategic challenge in the neighbouring country since the 1971 Liberation War. In its report on India–Bangladesh relations presented in Parliament, the committee referenced testimony recorded on June 26 and highlighted concerns about generational shifts, political realignments, and the possibility of strategic drift away from India.
The committee observed that while the 1971 crisis posed an existential humanitarian challenge, the current risks are subtler but potentially more far-reaching. It pointed to the resurgence of Islamist forces following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the collapse of the Awami League, alongside the growing influence of China and Pakistan, as pivotal developments reshaping Bangladesh’s political landscape.
