Persons involved in women repression will be punished beyond their identities: Hasan

Taking a serious note of rape incidents Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said the government is determined to ensure exemplary and maximum punishment to the culprits who would be involved in women repression and rape irrespective of their identities.

"Those who are involved in these misdeeds, are miscreants. They have no other identities. The government is determined to ensure exemplary punishment to the culprits," he told newsmen at the meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat in the capital.

Earlier, the information minister unwrapped the cover of the book titled 'Ami Hobo Agami Diner Sheikh Hasina'.

Information Secretary Kamrun Nahar addressed the function as special guest while author of the book Tania Sultana was present.

Hasan said exemplary punishments were inflicted earlier on culprits for committing such crimes. "Such crimes were also committed in the past. But many such incidents were not brought to light due to absence of social media. Now, about all crimes come to light and the persons who are highlighting the incidents through social media are vocal against women repression and rape," he added.

The information minister said there is no scope to do politics cashing in on these issues. Sometimes, BNP tried to give political colour to these incidents, he added.

He blamed the BNP for raping women in Bangladesh under the party shelter. "An eight-year-old baby was raped after the 2001 elections. They (BNP) repressed and raped hundreds of women after blocking a village for voting Awami League. But, they didn't hold trials of rape incidents. So, the party which didn't take any steps against those incidents, has no ethical right to talk on this issue. And it involves a big question mark," he added.

About a comment of BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the information minister said they (BNP leaders) are used to deliver speeches to spread hatred against the government. But, it is ridiculous to listen when the party brings accusations of not having the rights to talk, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

In the book unveiling function, the information minister thanked the author and said children are the future of the nation and unwrapping the cover of the book on this day is more significant when the Prime Minister inaugurated the Children's Day.

He said, "Our objective is to make a developed nation along with infrastructural development. For this, every people should have patriotism, love and affection which would grow from childhood."

The children could read the books of those enriched persons who are endowed with all these qualities. And Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the person who reaches the world leadership level in the midst of all adversities.

Kamrun Nahar said Bangladesh is now a role model before the world on development, progress and women empowerment under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Her life and works are an example for all children, she added.

Lawyer Sohana Jesmin, writer Jahangir Alam Shovan, cultural activists Dipu Siddique, Nadiba Parvin Lucky, Naznin Sultana Nazu, Azimun Ruma, Nahid Naz, Zaman Nur, Hamim, Omar, Aniruddha, Sadia, Saramoni, Raif, Jui, Chamely, Ramia, Ramim,. Abrar, Sabit and Hasib, among others, were present in the function.