Growing rape incidents outcome of sick politics, experts think

'Perpetrators must be given exemplary punishment'

FE Team | Published: October 10, 2020 21:18:23

As the country is witnessing a growing number of rape incidents, experts think it is an outcome of 'sick politics' as many rapists have 'political clout' and advised political parties to go for a 'course correction', reports UNB.
They advocated for the formation of a high-profile national committee, comprising police, RAB, and members of the administration, judiciary and civil society, to contain the serious social menace and sexual violence of any kind by breaking the existing culture of impunity.
Dhaka University's Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury, Social Sciences Faculty Dean Prof Sadeka Halim and Jahangirnagar University's International Relations department's Professor TarekShamsur Rahman suggested the government to take a zero-tolerance policy towards rapists as it is doing towards the militants.
Contacted, Awami League Presidium Member Advocate Abdul MatinKhasru said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already instructed their party central leaders to take corrective measures so that the party's image is not tarnished for some wrongdoers.
"The Prime Minister asked us to take steps for removing the hybrid leaders and workers and intruders from the party. She also instructed us to abandon those who have bad records and involvement with criminal activities. We're taking every necessary step so that no one can use our party identity for indulging in misdeeds," he said.
Besides, Khasru said the government has decided to amend the existing law to make the death sentence the highest punishment for rapists.
"We think only punishment alone can't stop sexual harassment and rape. A multidimensional approach is needed to deal with this problem, and we're working on it. We'll surely take all the necessary measures to get rid of the heinous crime like rape as we can't let Bangladesh be identified as a rapist country,"he said.
Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury said the growing rape and violence against women are not isolated incidents as those have a strong link with corruption, abuse of power and the culture of impunity.
"Although rape incidents occur separately, these are a reflection of a disease of criminalisation of society and politics. Corruption and rape are also the opposite side of the same coin,"he said.
The noted educationist said the offenders of rape, sexual harassment and other crimes have no accountability and they hardly get punished because of their political influence and poor enforcement of law. "The rapists think they won't be punished, even if they are caught by law enforcers as they get political support and can manage police. That's why we're now seeing that Chhatra League activists are being accused of rape."
To prevent rape, the veteran professor said the perpetrators must be given exemplary punishment and that punishment must be visible. "The state must bring the perpetrators to justice and expedite the trial."
Serajul Islam said the capitalist system has made people isolated, weak and powerless. "Those who've political clout and ill-gotten money are now powerful in society, and they can do anything without any accountability."
He said a movement for social change is necessary as rapists cannot be stopped with only punishing them.
Serajul Islam said people are now very active on social media and giving their various reactions there. "But the impact of reaction on the streets and social media are not the same. People are getting relieved only expressing their anger on social media. But we need to take to the streets unitedly to show people's power and frighten the criminals."
He said restoring people's power and strengthening the social system is the main way to get rid of the repressive acts and social crimes.
Sadeka Halim said sexual violence has turned into a serious social menace for various reasons and 'inaction of the state'.
"Men's patriarchal mentality, pervasiveness, degradation of morality and values, weak family boding, unrest in society, criminalisation of politics, political backing, week law and legal system and poor enforcement of law are the major reasons behind the growing incidents of rape and sexual harassment," she said.