Dhaka, August 1: In recent months, Bangladesh has witnessed significant youth protests following the rise of Tarique Rahman. Amid escalating demonstrations across the nation, the government has announced a ban on the political activities of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir. This notification was issued on August 1, 2024, under the leadership of Rahman’s government.
Last Thursday, the Bangladeshi government classified the Jamaat-e-Islami party, its student wing, and other affiliated organizations as ‘extremist and terrorist’ groups. This decision is part of a broader crackdown following weeks of violent protests that resulted in over 200 deaths and thousands of injuries nationwide.
According to Bangladeshi media outlet The Daily Star, a commission of three judges from the High Court has been established to investigate the deaths and damages caused by the violence that spread from July 16 to July 21.
Previously, Nahid Islam and another coordinator of the student movement were released after being held at the Detective Branch (DB) office. Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced plans for a prayer gathering and a large march involving students and the general public on August 2.
Between April and June 2026, a total of 74 people lost their lives due to mob violence and political conflicts in Bangladesh. A quarterly report from the Dhaka-based human rights organization, Ain o Salish Kendra, noted that 33 individuals died in mob attacks, while 41 were killed in political violence, with 970 others injured.
The report indicated that most of those killed by mobs were suspected of theft or robbery. Some were murdered during informal village councils (salish) or accused of hurting religious sentiments. The organization highlighted that this situation reflects a declining trust in law and order, prompting people to take the law into their own hands.
Additionally, the report documented 57 incidents of internal conflict within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and two incidents within the National Citizen Party (NCP). The internal strife in the BNP resulted in four deaths and 400 injuries, while 16 people were injured in NCP conflicts.
Disputes within the BNP revolved around extortion, regional dominance, the sale of excavated soil, local election tickets, party conferences, and political events. Many incidents involved the use of firearms, explosives, and other lethal weapons.
The human rights organization accused some BNP leaders and activists of serious offenses, including extortion, land grabbing, kidnapping, sexual assault, attacks on educational institutions and government offices, obstruction of police duties, and assaults on political opponents.
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