While there has been a significant rise in atrocities against the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh under the Yunus regime, Bangladeshi Muslim men and women are no longer immune.
Recently, a violent mob brutally killed a woman and her two children in Koraibari village of Comilla, Bangladesh. Victims were Roksana Begum alias Ruby (53), wife of Khalilur Rahman, her son Russell Mia (35) and daughter Taspiya Akhter (29). They were hacked to death on the morning of July 3.
Women have decided to come out and protest against the alleged harassment they have to endure from the Bangladeshi authorities in their village. Men have fled the Koraibari village in Comilla, fearing arrest for the crime.
Koraibari village of Bangladesh has been men-free for the last month. Victim Roksana’s eldest daughter, Rikta Akhter, lodged a case at the Bangra Bazar Police Station against 38 people and accused 20 to 25 men of the crime.
Bangladeshi police acted swiftly and arrested ten people in connection with the case. However, the local women formed a human chain to show support for their men who had left the village and facilitate their return. They claim that the police have not arrested the main accused, Akubpur Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Shimul Billah, but instead were harassing random men in their villages.
Jamila Akhter, one of the women in the human chain, said innocent villagers were being harassed by the police. She alleged that because of this, men who fled the village are not willing to return, fearing arrest.
Another Zayeda Begum echoed the support for innocent villagers. She said, “The only earner in our family is a homeless person. This is causing the family members to live in inhuman conditions. We want those who are the real culprits to be brought to justice. But everyone in the village should not be harassed.”
However, Nayan Kumar Chakraborty, the police officer investigating the case, and District DB Sub-Inspector (SI) denied such allegations. He said, “Not a single innocent person has been harassed so far. They have been vigilant about the case from the beginning. There is no reason for the villagers to panic. He urged those who are not involved in the incident to return to their villages and lead a normal life.”
He further added, “Our operation is continuing. Those involved in the incident will be brought to justice as soon as possible. We are not arresting anyone without specific allegations and evidence.”
No place for Bangladeshi women under the Yunus regime
Earlier this year, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad raised an alarm highlighting the recent rise of crimes against women in Bangladesh. The organisation requested the interim Yunus government to take action and stop these crimes against women and safeguard their rights.
A recently published report said, “A total of 442 women and girls were subjected to various forms of violence across the country in March alone.”
According to Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, 125 girls and 38 women were raped in March. 36 victims, including 18 girls, were gang-raped. In addition, 55 girls and 15 women survived attempted rape.
Further, the Yunus-led government in Bangladesh removed the 60% quota for women in government primary school teacher recruitment. According to the organisation, the move was a step backwards from empowering women and protecting them.
Brazen Human Rights violation in Bangladesh
Ain O Salish Kendra, a national legal aid and human rights organisation in Bangladesh, said, “If a woman is not safe in her own home and identity, it represents a serious failure of the state and a breakdown in security.”
The BBC reported in June that a woman from the Hindu minority community in Bangladesh’s Cumilla district was raped at her father’s house. She said that the main suspect, Fazor Ali, “entered the house with bad intentions and tortured her”.
A law adviser, Asif Nazrul from Bangladesh, said, “Like ordinary citizens, we are also deeply shocked by the rape. Our home ministry has taken immediate action,” adding, “The prime accused, along with those involved in spreading photos of the incident, a highly irresponsible and criminal act, have all been arrested.”
