Chittagong Violence Shows Yunus Govt Failed To Control 'Mobocracy': BNP Leader To News18 | Exclusive

Last Updated:December 23, 2025, 11:12 IST

Former commerce minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury pointed out that despite prolonged political uncertainty, citizens remain eager to exercise their democratic rights

Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury (Facebook)

The attack on the Indian High Commission in Chittagong and the violent protests in Dhaka that followed are stark examples of ‘mobocracy’ and reflect a complete breakdown of law and order in Bangladesh, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, the country’s former commerce minister and a senior leader of Bangladesh ist Party (BNP), told News18 in an exclusive interview from Chittagong.

Chowdhury held a senior position in Khaleda Zia’s cabinet and is now a member of BNP’s standing committee. Noting that Zia was responding to treatment, he said she would decide the candidates for the upcoming election and also take the final call on the projected prime ministerial candidate.

Calling the Nobel laureate Mohammed Yunus-led interim government a ‘failure’, the BNP leader accused it of allowing organised mobs to dictate the streets, weakening state authority and pushing the country into instability. He added that when diplomatic missions become targets of street violence, it sends a dangerous signal, not only domestically, but also to the international community.

“These are not just stray or isolated incidents," he said, referring to the Chittagong attack and related protests. “They are planned attempts to destabilise the country and disturb the democratic and electoral process by creating fear and chaos," the former minister added.

Voters Await, Disorder Prevails

Chowdhury also pointed out that despite prolonged political uncertainty, the citizens, especially the young voters, across the country remain eager to exercise their democratic rights. “People are ready to cast their votes, they are just waiting for the election. Candidates are working in their constituencies. People waited for almost decades to cast votes. They could not exercise their franchise in the last 3-4 elections. There is a clear sense of ownership among the people," he said. “Yet instead of ensuring stability and bringing order, the interim government is presiding over disorder," he added.

He also said repeated such failures to maintain law and order would erode public confidence and threaten democratic institutions. According to him, mob violence and unchecked protests are being used as ‘tools to obstruct elections’ and delay a return to an elected government.

Stressing that he did not wish to engage in inflammatory commentary or make a comment on the students’ political forums, the BNP leader placed responsibility squarely on the government of the day. “This is not democracy. This is mobocracy," he said.

As Bangladesh approaches a critical political juncture, Chowdhury’s remarks reflect a growing concern that without firm action to restore law and order, instability may deepen and the democratic process itself may be compromised.

News world Chittagong Violence Shows Yunus Govt Failed To Control 'Mobocracy': BNP Leader To News18 | Exclusive

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