Dhaka: The Interim Government of Bangladesh on Thursday issued a strong appeal to citizens to resist all forms of mob violence, condemning recent incidents of intimidation, arson and destruction of property carried out by what it described as a few fringe elements following the assassination of a youth leader, Saheed Sharif Osman Hadi, who was an outspoken critic of Hasina as well as India.

In an official statement, the government said it “strongly and unequivocally” condemns violence of any kind, warning that such acts threaten to derail the country’s ongoing democratic transition.
 

Calling the present moment a critical phase in the nation’s history, the Interim Government emphasised that the upcoming elections and referendum are not merely political processes but a solemn national commitment. The statement said this commitment is inseparable from the ideals for which Saheed Sharif Osman Hadi sacrificed his life, and urged citizens to honour his memory by exercising restraint and rejecting hatred and chaos.

The government also expressed solidarity with journalists from The Daily Star, Prothom Alo and New Age, apologising for the terror and violence they have faced. Describing attacks on journalists as attacks on truth itself, the Interim Government assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.

Condemning the lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh, the government said there is no place for such violence in a “new Bangladesh” and vowed that the perpetrators of the crime would not be spared.

Reiterating its appeal, the Interim Government called on all citizens to reject violence, incitement and hatred, and to uphold democratic values at this critical juncture.