Bangladesh: State Unleashes Savage Attack on a Remarkably Successful Single Independent Woman: A Grave Danger Signal for Woman's Rights: Protests Become Audible

[Sukla Sen]

A remarkably successful young single woman as a professional in the entertainment industry spiritedly protests and raises a din over an attempt by a powerful male to sexually assault her.

This public refusal to submit to an ugly advance by a powerful male and demand for justice in a society where large sections are steeped deep in stinkingly conservative anti-woman religious values has unleashed a string of vicious retributive actions by the state.

It's backed up by obnoxious obscene roars by large sections of the civil society.

Now, the murmur of protests by conscientious citizens - mindful of human and women's rights, has reached the audible level.

Needs be much intensified.

Bangladesh runs the risk of being overrun by staunch Islamists.

If not politically, at the moment, then, at least, socially.

The undemocratic Hasina-led Awami League regime - in gross betrayal of its original commitments, is happy to go with the tide in the hope that it'd help in retaining power indefinitely.

The ongoing misogynist attack is one in a continuing series of vicious Islamist attacks on modern, liberal humanistic values and their upholders.

The hacking of a rationalist/atheist fearless academic - Avijit Roy, in broad daylight on a street of the capital was as yet the most totemic of all.

The present victim may have nothing much common with (celebrated) Roy, but, the way she has been subjected to assaults unleashed by the state makes it obligatory for all those cherishing democratic values to stand up for and rally round her legitimate democratic rights - if not the individual per se.

That's too important for the future of democracy and pluralism in Bangladesh. 

<<Sultana Kamal, a prominent human rights activist, today said what is being done to actress Pori Moni is a clear violation of human rights.

She made the remark after virtually attending a citizens' rally held in front of National Museum at the capital's Shahbag organised to seek justice for Pori Moni this afternoon under the banner of 'Outraged Citizens'.>>

(Excerpted from: <https://www.thedailystar.net/law-our-rights/news/the-way-pori-moni-being-treated-clear-violation-human-rights-sultana-kamal-2158331>.)