The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) raised serious concerns on Saturday over the alarming increase in violence and harassment against women, calling on the government to take immediate steps to curb extremism and protect women’s rights.
During a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan office, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi highlighted a disturbing incident where a person was seen stopping rickshaws and questioning female students about their attire on International Women’s Day. Rizvi condemned the act, describing it as a sign of extremism and urging that such behavior should not be tolerated.
“This cannot happen. This is a sign of extremism,” Rizvi stated, urging the government to take decisive action to prevent the rise of militancy and ensure the nation’s continued progress and development.
Rizvi emphasized the growing concern over the increasing incidents of violence and harassment against women across the country, noting that women are not only facing insecurity on the streets but also experiencing online abuse. He pointed out that women of all backgrounds, including students and workers, are being subjected to eve-teasing, molestation, and sexual harassment in public spaces and educational institutions.
“Women are being raped, tortured, and killed. The culture of harassment and attacks on women, combined with a prevailing sense of impunity, has become a major threat to the stability and harmony of the state,” Rizvi said.
The BNP leader questioned whether there was an intentional effort behind the social degradation of women’s dignity and security, suggesting that extremists may be inciting or supporting the violence. He warned that such actions could be part of a broader agenda to destabilize the country and turn Bangladesh into a conservative state where women’s rights are restricted.
Rizvi condemned the ongoing violence against women and called for strong action and appropriate punishment for the perpetrators. “It is our moral responsibility to protect the dignity and freedom of women, which is their constitutional right,” he said.
The BNP’s remarks come amid growing concern over women’s safety and the lack of accountability for those responsible for violence against them.
