On February 9, the interim government of Bangladesh introduced Operation Devil Hunt, driven by the Bangladesh joint forces to maintain law and order. The government presented this operation as necessary to address criminal activities and mob violence. The operation will continue until all the “devils are rooted out,” said Home Adviser Lt. Gen. (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. When asked about the objective of the operation, Jahangir said, “What does ‘devil’ mean? It refers to evil forces. The operation will target those who attempt to destabilize the country, break the law, and engage in criminal activities.”
So far, around 20,000 people have been arrested and security forces have seized firearms including pipe guns, cartridges, and bladed tools like machetes and ram-daos. Unfortunately, two people were reportedly killed in a firefight between criminals and combined forces personnel. This incident echoes stories fed by the previous regime of Sheikh Hasina, which was toppled by a popular uprising due to rampant rights abuses.
That similarity is a warning bell. How Operation Devil Hunt is being carried out – and the language used to describe it – raises serious concerns. By referring to those targeted as “devils,” the authorities risk spreading a harmful narrative that denies the humanity of a person. This kind of rhetoric not only deepens divisions between groups; it also threatens the foundations of democracy in Bangladesh and weakens the principles of fairness and respect that are essential for a healthy society.
During its 15-year rule, Hasina and her Awami League always dehumanized the opposition – notably the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islam – by spreading hate speech against them. In rhetoric from AL politicians, opposition parties were described as anti-nationalists, traitors, criminals, terrorists, and evil and sometimes compared to animals. The AL’s dehumanization of opposition groups extended beyond rhetoric, functioning as a tool to justify its suppressive measures. By framing the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami as existential threats to national security, the ruling party legitimized actions such as arrests, censorship, and political violence against them.
At a time when Bangladesh is being rebuilt, with promises to install a fully functional democracy, the use of such rhetoric by the interim government is alarming. As we saw under Hasina, dehumanizing rhetoric can justify discrimination, violence, or oppression, eroding trust in institutions and fostering division within society. It undermines human dignity, social cohesion, and moral integrity.
That’s precisely why the deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, Meenakshi Ganguly, expressed concern about Operation Devil Hunt. “Bangladeshis are angry over the repression by the Hasina administration and they deserve justice and accountability, but it has to be a rights-respecting manner,” she warned. “All crimes, including mob violence, should be punished, but when authority figures characterize opponents as the ‘devil,’ it can fuel abuses by security forces that have never faced accountability.”
Dehumanization is not merely a rhetorical tool; it has profound psychological and social consequences. By framing certain individuals or groups as “devils,” the government is effectively placing them outside the bounds of moral consideration. This process of “othering” makes it easier to justify harsh or violent actions against them, as they are no longer seen as deserving of empathy or respect. The government is essentially saying that certain people don’t deserve the same rights or protections as everyone else. In a country with a history of political violence and authoritarianism, this rhetoric is particularly concerning, as it can legitimize state-sanctioned repression and undermine the rule of law.
The deployment of joint forces, including the army, police, and other law enforcement agencies, further underscores the militarization of law and order in Bangladesh. By granting magistracy powers to army officers, the government is effectively blurring the lines between civilian and military authority, raising concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law.
In one sense, it is understandable that the interim government is taking a strong stance; perpetrators and criminals are exploiting the weaknesses of the authorities to destabilize the country. However, addressing this challenge must be done while ensuring the highest standards of human rights.
The consequences of dehumanization extend far beyond the immediate targets of Operation Devil Hunt. By fostering a culture of intolerance and exclusion, the government risks alienating large segments of the population and undermining social cohesion. Dehumanization reduces empathy and moral consideration for outgroups, making it easier to justify violence and discrimination against them. In a country as politically polarized as Bangladesh, this rhetoric risks fueling cycles of violence and retribution, further destabilizing the social fabric.
Human Rights Watch has emphasized that to prosecute political violence, Bangladesh’s interim administration must ensure that security forces act impartially and in accordance with the law. “Bangladesh is politically polarized after decades of repression by the Awami League government, but the authorities should not repeat mistakes of the past and should instead ensure impartial rule of law,” Ganguly said.
Addressing issues surrounding Operation Devil Hunt requires abandoning dehumanizing rhetoric and adopting a just, compassionate approach to law enforcement. Every individual, regardless of political beliefs or alleged actions, deserves fair treatment. A just and inclusive society can only emerge if governance is rooted in equality, human dignity, and the rule of law. Upholding these principles is not just a moral obligation but also essential for ensuring lasting stability and progress in Bangladesh. The interim government has a unique opportunity to break from past cycles of repression and set a new precedent for justice and accountability.