Need law to protect men: Haji Salim

'Women can be sometimes dangerous' says independent lawmaker Haji Mohammad Salim, justifying his push for a law to protect men.

Parliament Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 24 March 2015, 03:59 PM
Updated : 24 March 2015, 04:49 PM

Salim, who wants to contest for mayor in Dhaka-South, made a case for a law to protect men like there are laws to protect women and children.
 
He spoke in an unscheduled discussion in Parliament after the Maghrib prayer on Tuesday in presence of three top women politicians of the country -- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Leader of the Opposition Raushon Ershad and Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
 
All three are passionate about women rights and empowerment.
 
“Many men suffer harassment, intimidation, blackmail and much else. So there should be a law to protect them,” Selim told Parliament.
 
Bangladesh's Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act 2000 provides for punishment for making false allegations under Section 17 of the law.
 
That does protect men who are falsely implicated.
 
“I’ve seen that 15 of 20 complaints over family discord originate  from women. They go to police stations to file compliants against alleged misdeeds but implicate other in-laws in the cases.''
 
Then come the police and ransack the house, he said.
 
He spoke about women empowerment and leadership.
 
“Men have been supporting women in development. I want women to back up men,” Salim said.
 
Some of the parliamentarians supported him by thumping their desks but few others rose to protest.
 
Announcement to leave Parliament
 
Salim has announced his resignation as an MP to fight for the mayor’s post in the upcoming city corporation polls.
 
“My dear colleagues, I may remain in Parliament for one or two more days. I’ll fight in the city polls after resigning,” he said.
 
He collected the nomination papers for the mayor’s post of Dhaka South City Corporation earlier in the day.