The violent clashes in Kakrail between Jatiyo Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad once again expose a deep-rooted problem in Bangladesh’s political culture.
Too often, parties treat the streets as battlegrounds, deploying mobs to settle scores instead of relying on institutions and dialogue. This thuggishness not only endangers lives but also undermines public trust in democracy.
Bangladesh cannot afford to normalize such behavior in a “New Bangladesh.” The government must prosecute offenders swiftly, impose heavy penalties, and establish mechanisms to track and punish politically sanctioned violence. Leaders who tolerate or encourage such actions should be held to account.
Political competition must take place at the ballot box, not with bricks and torches.