The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) demanded on Monday that all those involved in sexual assaults on women during Pahela Baishakh celebrations on the Dhaka University (DU) campus be brought to justice immediately, reports UNB.
"The Commission clearly states that the offenders whoever they are must be identified and be brought to justice. No delay is tolerable in this regard," NHRC chairman Prof Dr Mizanur Rahman told a press briefing at his office in the city.
Criticising the role of law enforcers, he said police played an as usual role during the incidents of sexual assaults on women.
Quoting various sources, Dr Mizan said: "Some students handed over two suspects to police, but they managed to flee from the spot due to negligence of the police. This is frustrating …this is simply negligence of duty."
Identifying fanaticism and patriarchal system behind the incidents of sexual assaults on women, he said militant and fanatic political forces want to take various advantages though misinterpretation of religions.
"The forces can't tolerate women's presence and participation in public gatherings. They constantly remain in fear as women of Bangladesh are now a factor of the country's advancement…using religion they're trying to make popular explanations that Pahela Baishakh celebration is contrary to the spirit of Islam," the NHRC chairman said.
He said if Nowruz (Iranian New Year) celebration is not contrary to the spirit of Islam, why Pahela Baishakh celebration could be contrary to Islam in Bangladesh.
"Baishakh celebration is a festival of Bengal related to history, agriculture and farmers. It was also celebrated 350 years ago during Sultani regime. So, did the rulers of Sultani regime separate from Islam?" he questioned.
Dr Mizan urged the DU authorities to form an independent probe body to investigate the incidents of sexual assaults on women as the incidents took place on the university campus, and make the probe report public to unveil the facts.
He said there would not be a solution to such incidents by only suspending the offenders and making the police personnel closed, but they must be punished through trial.
NHRC full-time member Kazi Reazul Hoque and its honorary member Prof Mahfuza Khanom were present at the press briefing.
Meanwhile, Protests continued on Dhaka University (DU) campus for the sixth day running on Monday as the law enforcers have failed to arrest any of the offenders involved in the gruesome sexual assault on women that took place on the campus during the Bangla New Year celebration on April 14.
Three separate human chains were formed on DU campus on Monday, protesting the incident and demanding immediate arrest of the offenders involved.
Bangladesh Students Union (BSU) formed a long human chain in front of the Raju Sculpture near TSC at around 11:00 am where teachers, students of different educational institutions as well as cultural and political activists were present, stretching the human chain from Aparayeyo Bangla to Curzon Hall.
Later, Dhaka University Te-achers' Association (DUTA) formed a human chain at the foot of Aparajeyo Bangla demanding punishment to the culprits.
Another human chain was formed in front of Social Science Faculty of the university with the same demand.
Speakers of the programmes demanded the punishment of the culprits as well as the resignation of the DU proctor terming him a 'liar'.
They accused proctor Amjad Ali of concealing information and negligence in discharging his duties.
General students of the university joined the human chain boycotting their classes.
Holding the university proctor responsible for the incidents, he said: "The proctor did not take any action against previous incidents of sexual assault; that has resulted in the repetition of such incidents."
Different students' and cultural organisations, including National Girl Child Advocacy Forum, Udichi Shilpi Goshthi and Youth and Hunger Bangladesh, also joined the programme.
At DUTA's human chain, the DU teachers said the groups that conducted bomb attacks on Ramna Batamul and Udichi Shilpi Goshthi's programme are involved in the incidents of sexual harassment during the Bangla New Year celebration.
DUTA's president Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed also gave an ultimatum of seven days demanding the offenders be brought to the book.
