The Bihar State Minorities Commission has expressed serious concern over alleged incidents of mob lynching in the state linked to religious identity and accusations of being “Bangladeshi.” The Commission’s Chairperson and former Rajya Sabha MP, Ghulam Rasool Baliyawi, has written to the Director General of Police (DGP), Bihar, demanding immediate steps to curb such incidents, strict action against those responsible, and rigorous enforcement of Supreme Court guidelines.

In a letter dated January 6, 2026, the Commission said that disturbing cases of mob lynching have been continuously reported from various districts through viral social media videos as well as coverage in newspapers and television news channels. According to the Commission, in recent days a cloth trader, Mohammad Athar Hussain, died during treatment after being lynched in Nalanda district. In Muzaffarpur, there was an attempt to lynch an elderly Muslim man. In another incident, Mohammad Murshid Alam of Supaul district was allegedly branded a “Bangladeshi” and brutally assaulted by a mob while working as a labourer in Madhubani, leaving him critically injured.

The Commission stated in its letter that such incidents are causing grave harm to communal harmony and social cohesion. They are creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among minorities and marginalised sections, along with a growing distrust in the justice system, which is deeply alarming for the state.

Referring to the landmark 2018 Supreme Court judgment in Tehseen Poonawalla vs Union of India, the Commission noted that the apex court had issued clear preventive, remedial and punitive guidelines to curb mob lynching. These include the appointment of a nodal officer of SP rank in every district, registration of an FIR immediately upon receiving information about an incident, strict action against hate content on social media, departmental action against erring police officials, and provision of compensation to victims.

The Commission recalled that in 2018, following these directions, the DGP’s office had appointed nodal officers in all districts, which led to a significant decline in mob lynching incidents. However, in view of the recent surge in such cases, there is an urgent need to reintroduce and strictly enforce these measures.

The Bihar State Minorities Commission has urged the DGP to issue a clear advisory at his level, ensure strict and literal compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions, and share details of the action taken with the Commission, in order to restore law and order and maintain social harmony in the state.