The scent of jasmine mingles with the acrid tang of sorrow in Bangladesh today. Another life snuffed out, another family plunged into despair, another statistic added to the chilling ledger of a nation grappling with a question that pierces the soul: Why does life seem so cheap here?

From the mangled metal of traffic accidents to the sterile silence of hospital beds where negligence reigns, from the frenzied brutality of mob justice to the cold-blooded executions of gang wars, from the tragic theatre of political clashes to the intimate horrors of domestic violence - Bangladesh bleeds. Each incident, a stark reminder that the value of life has eroded, leaves behind a society teetering on the edge.

The perennial menace of road accidents, claiming lives with chilling regularity, is a testament to our collective apathy towards safety. We rage online, mourn briefly, and then move on, lulled back into a false sense of security until the next tragedy. Media reports suggest that over a hundred lives were lost on streets across the country in past two weeks. After every accident, we witness the same narrative unfold: reckless driving, poorly maintained vehicles, inadequate infrastructure and a culture of impunity. The statistics become faces, the numbers morph into dreams shattered, families devastated. The anger is palpable, the grief a collective wound. Yet, the question lingers: when will this end? When will we prioritise safety over speed, accountability over negligence?

Hospitals, meant to be havens of healing, often become sites of tragedy. Tales of botched surgeries, delayed treatment and inadequate care are all too common. The recent deaths of two children – Ayaan and Ahnaf – during some routine circumcision procedure and a young information technology professional – Raahib Reza – during an endoscopy procedure due to alleged medical negligence at three renowned hospitals in Dhaka sparked outrage, highlighting the systemic issues plaguing the healthcare sector. The lack of qualified personnel, inadequate resources and questionable ethical practices leave patients vulnerable, turning their quest for recovery into a desperate fight for survival.

Mob violence, fuelled by misinformation, prejudice and a breakdown of social order, has become a chilling reality. Individuals are lynched based on rumours, ostracised for their beliefs, and silenced by fear.

Teen gang culture, a cancer spreading through neglected urban spaces, claims young lives with alarming regularity. Turf wars and power struggles leave neighbourhoods scarred, parents grief-stricken and dreams buried beneath the cold earth. The killings of a number of teenagers in gang fights in recent years is a grim reminder of how easily life is extinguished, its potential snuffed out before it can bloom.

Political clashes, fuelled by power struggles and ideological differences, have also taken their toll. The loss of young lives during student protests and the recent death of a journalist during an anti-government rally of the opposition BNP raise troubling questions about the value placed on dissent and the sanctity of human life. The erosion of democratic values and the increasing use of violence as a political tool leave us questioning the very foundation of our society.

But the devaluation of life extends beyond these headline-grabbing incidents. It lurks in the shadows of domestic violence, where women and children are subjected to physical and emotional abuse.

The question remains: How do we, as a nation, reclaim the value of life?

The answer lies not in quick fixes or knee-jerk reactions, but in a collective shift in mindset.

We need a renewed commitment to road safety, with stricter enforcement, better infrastructure and a cultural shift towards responsible driving. We must demand accountability from healthcare institutions, ensuring quality care and ethical practices. Mob justice must be replaced with a robust, accessible justice system that inspires trust and upholds the rule of law.

Combating gang culture requires addressing its root causes - poverty, lack of opportunity and the allure of easy money. Investment in education, job creation and community-based programmes can provide young people with alternatives to violence.

Political discourse needs to move beyond rhetoric and focus on policies that promote dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences. Domestic violence demands a zero-tolerance approach, with robust support systems for victims and education programmes that challenge harmful gender norms. Mental health, long neglected, needs to be brought into the mainstream conversation. Awareness campaigns, accessible counselling services, and integration of mental health into the overall healthcare system are crucial steps.

Finally, we need a national conversation, an open dialogue that confronts the devaluation of life head-on. Let us engage in honest discussions about the root causes, challenge societal norms that perpetuate violence and apathy, and collectively work towards a future where life is not just measured in currency but cherished for its inherent value and potential.

The jasmine still blooms in Bangladesh, but its fragrance is tinged with the bitter taste of loss. Let us work together to ensure that every life, not just a few, is valued, protected and given the chance to blossom. Only then can we truly say, “Life in Bangladesh is precious.”

The time to act is now. Let us not fail ourselves, let us not fail Bangladesh.
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The writer is News Editor of the Daily Sun. Email: [email protected]