BNP on Saturday expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in harassment and violence against women, urging the government to take immediate action to limit extremism.
“A person was seen stopping rickshaws to ask female students what they would wear at their university on the occasion of International Women’s Day. This is a sign of extremism. This cannot happen,” said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, reports UNB.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he urged the government to take appropriate measures to prevent the rise of militancy. “Evil forces must not be allowed to obstruct our modern progress and development,” he added.
Rizvi called on the interim government to take strong action against all forms of anarchy, including violence against women, and to ensure justice in the country.
“We are deeply concerned that incidents of violence and harassment against women have increased at an alarming rate across the country,” he said.
He noted that women not only face insecurity in their daily lives on the streets but also suffer from harassment online.
The BNP leader lamented that women from all walks of life, including students and female workers, are subjected to eve-teasing, molestation, and sexual harassment in various places, including streets and educational institutions.
“Women are being raped, tortured, and killed. The culture of harassment and attacks on women, coupled with the impunity granted to perpetrators, has become a threat to the stability and harmony of the state,” he observed.
Rizvi stressed the need to investigate why women’s dignity and security are being undermined and whether there is an intentional conspiracy behind this.
“There may be support or incitement from extremists behind this barbarity and violence. Or there may be attempts to destabilize the country and exploit the situation to turn Bangladesh into a conservative state, where women are deprived of their rights,” he said.
On behalf of BNP, he strongly condemned the ongoing incidents and demanded appropriate punishment for the culprits.
“It is our moral responsibility to protect the dignity and freedom of women, which is their constitutional right,” the BNP leader stated.
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
