‘Mob Rule Should Not Prevail’: Shashi Tharoor Raises Alarm Over Bangladesh Violence

Last Updated:December 20, 2025, 16:55 IST

Massive protests broke out in several parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram, following the death of July uprising organiser Sharif Osman Hadi.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday expressed concern over the prevailing situation in Bangladesh, warning that mob rule and instability could adversely affect both Bangladesh and India.

While speaking to reporters outside Patna Airport, Tharoor flagged the “mob rule" in Bangladesh and questioned the country’s interim government on the steps being taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

“Such mob rule should not prevail. The Parliamentary Standing Committee has also said that we want good relations with Bangladesh, and peace should be maintained there," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP further emphasised India’s interest in a stable and democratic Bangladesh, saying that peace and democratic norms must be upheld in the neighbouring country, especially with elections scheduled to be held in February. “Elections are also going to be held there in February, and we want democracy to return there, but the way the situation is going there is very concerning," he added.

The Congress leader underlined that instability in Bangladesh would not be in the interest of either nation. “Such a situation is not good for both countries; we want peace there," he said, reiterating India’s expectation of calm and orderly democratic processes in its eastern neighbour.

Earlier today, he also expressed concern over attacks on media houses and journalists in the neighbouring country, saying that such incidents are not just attacks on individual institutions but a direct blow to press freedom and a pluralistic society.

Tharoor referred to reports of targeted mob attacks on the offices of leading Bangladeshi newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. He said the burning of media offices and threats to journalists are alarming and unacceptable. He also said he was worried about the safety of The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam and other journalists working under fear.

“Deeply concerned by the reports from Bangladesh. The targeted mob attacks and arson at the offices of @ProthomAl and The @dailystarnews are more than just an assault on two media houses; they are an assault on the freedom of the press and the very foundation of a pluralistic society. I am concerned about the well-being of editor @MahfuzAnamDS and other courageous journalists," he said.

Bangladesh Unrest

Massive protests broke out in several parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram, following the death of July uprising organiser Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore. Hadi, the convener of Inquilab Mancha, died while undergoing treatment after he was shot in the head in Dhaka on December 12.

Media houses, cultural centres and political offices were attacked. A Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched and burnt to death in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy.

Bangladesh now faces its worst bout of violence in months, just weeks before crucial elections scheduled for February 2026.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Friday condemned mob violence by fringe elements, calling on citizens to resist violence, hatred and incitement at a critical moment of democratic transition.

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