ASK condemns violence against ex-CEC Nurul Huda
At least 83 people have been killed in similar incidents of violence at the hands of unruly mobs between January and June 2025 alone - a stark indicator of deepening lawlessness in what is supposed to be a civilised state, ASK states
The law and human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has strongly condemned the attack on former Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Mohammad Nurul Huda by a group in Uttara yesterday (22 June).
A viral video showed an agitated crowd assaulting him, placing a shoe garland around his neck, and then handing him over to the police.
In a press release, ASK stated that such mob actions not only violate individual rights but also affront fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law, and human dignity.
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"Even if someone faces serious allegations, the only legitimate route for redress is through constitutional processes and established legal systems," the organisation emphasised in its brief.
The group expressed alarm over the rising trend of public vigilantism, calling it a dangerous precedent that undermines justice, "replacing law with mob rule."
ASK challenged authorities, warning that silence or inaction might imply complicity. It reminded that citizens' rights to safety and due process are guaranteed under Articles 31–32 of the constitution.
It is noteworthy that between January and June 2025 alone, at least 83 people have been killed in similar incidents of violence at the hands of unruly mobs — a stark indicator of deepening lawlessness in what is supposed to be a civilised state.
While the army has issued one or two warnings, the government has yet to take any effective or decisive action against such organised violence. On the contrary, the apparent silence and inaction of the relevant authorities seem to be indirectly emboldening these violent groups.
ASK urged the government to take swift, preventive steps to stop such incidents from recurring, stressing the need to safeguard public confidence in legal institutions and curb "cultures of violence."
Former chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda was held by an angry mob in the capital's Uttara area yesterday evening (22 June).
Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) filed a case against chief election commissioners and officials involved in the 10th, 11th, and 12th parliamentary elections, accusing them of inaction and misconduct during those polls.
The 11th national election was held under CEC KM Nurul Huda in December 2018.
