New York/Dhaka, Dec 05 (V7N) – Journalist and columnist Anis Alamgir has said that although the fear of being detained by intelligence agencies no longer exists under the current interim government, a new wave of “mob violence” has emerged across the country. He made the remarks during the talk show “Thikana with Khaled Muhiuddin,” broadcast live on Thursday at 11 a.m. New York time (10 p.m. Bangladesh time) on the Thikana TV YouTube channel.

Alamgir stated that during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, many citizens lived in fear of being suddenly detained by intelligence groups. “Now that fear is gone because no state agency is intimidating people. But instead, mob violence has created a new atmosphere of fear,” he said. According to him, various groups have appeared claiming to support the interim government and are now using threats and intimidation against anyone who expresses a different or logical viewpoint. He described mob violence under Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s interim rule as “the worst in history.”

The talk show also featured Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, Secretary General of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party. The discussion focused on Bangladesh’s contemporary political climate, upcoming elections, freedom of expression, and security concerns. Thikana TV’s Editor-in-Chief Khaled Muhiuddin moderated the program.

Barrister Fuad said that nearly fifteen years of one-party dominance under the Awami League had deprived an entire generation of the freedom to express opinions or vote independently. He argued that such prolonged centralization of power eroded social values, mutual respect, and democratic norms. “If democratic practices had continued without fear, social values would have been restored. The current instability is rooted in the past government’s failures,” he said.

Fuad also confirmed that the AB Party has nominated candidates in 109 constituencies ahead of the national election expected in February. Despite financial and manpower limitations, the party is preparing to participate. However, he strongly opposed allowing the Awami League and its affiliated groups—removed by the recent mass uprising—to contest in the upcoming election. “A fascist party should not be brought back into the electoral process under the pretext of participatory democracy,” he said.

Anis Alamgir disagreed with excluding any party from the election process. He asserted that determining political legitimacy should be the sole right of the electorate. “A participatory election is impossible without including the Awami League. Its exclusion is creating speculation and public uncertainty about the polls,” he said.

He also noted that some political groups are still advocating for delaying the election. Such demands, he warned, could revive speculation suggesting that the Yunus-led interim government intends to remain in power for five years, adding a new layer of political uncertainty.

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