A clique wants to stop women from moving forward, says Prof Anisuzzaman

Dhaka University’s Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman has said a section of the people is trying to undo the progress made by Bangladeshi women during the past 50 years.

He said this on Monday while speaking at a student-people rally organised at the foot of Raju Memorial Sculpture on Dhaka University campus. 
 
He demanded punishment for those involved in sexual assaults on women on Pahela Baishakh.
 
Anisuzzaman said, “Most positive achievement of Bangladesh has been the advancement of women in the past 50-60 years. A certain quarter is ready to ruin this achievement.”
 
He said there were many people in the country who wanted women to remain confined indoors. 
 
“The sexual assaults on Pahela Baishakh or incidents like these may result in imposition of restrictions on girls by their guardians or others. That will be a disaster for the country,” he added.
 
Highlighting widespread harassment of women, the professor said, “If we look at the whole country, we will see women being harassed from houses to open fields and from highways to public transport.”
 
He demanded ‘proper punishment’ for those involved in the Pahela Baishakh incident.
 
The Communist Party of Bangladesh President Mujahidul Islam Selim, Professor Anu Mohammad and journalist Abu Sayeed also spoke on the occasion.