Bangladesh: Protesters demand home adviser's resignation over remarks

Bangladesh is witnessing another surge in protest movements with Jahangir Alam Chowdhury — serving as the home affairs adviser in the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus — facing intense heat and criticism, this time for reportedly insensitive remarks on women in the country.

A group of protestors under the banner of 'Bangladesh Against Rape and Oppression' burnt an effigy of Chowdhury on Tuesday, 4 March, demanding his resignation following the remarks he made regarding the reported harassment of two young women over smoking in public in Dhaka's Lalmatia. The protestors gathered at the site of the incident and later marched toward the Parliament building, demanding Chowdhury's immediate removal from the Yunus-led interim government, local media reported.

Earlier, when local journalists questioned the home adviser about the alleged physical assault on the two young women, he stated, "As far as I know, the women were smoking, and some people heading to prayers objected. This led to tea being thrown at them." He added that smoking in public places is prohibited for both men and women and urged everyone to refrain from smoking in open spaces.

These remarks have now triggered public outrage throughout the country. The protestors, accusing the home advisor of incompetence, alleged that cases of rape, murder, mob violence and moral policing are on the rise across Bangladesh, leading Bangladeshi newspaper the Daily Star reported.

According to the protestors, despite repeated outcries, there is no improvement in the law and order situation, and it is further deteriorating with no action taken against perpetrators of crimes. The protesters carried placards with slogans such as 'Stop slut-shaming!' 'Laws for women, but where is the law for men?' and 'Ensure safety or step down!'

"We protested against the ongoing rape and repression and marched toward the home ministry. Yet, the police — who fail to arrest rapists, control mobs, or catch thieves — obstructed our procession," a protestor told the newspaper.

"Some of our protesters were injured as a result. We later organised a torch procession, giving the home adviser a 24-hour ultimatum to resign and apologise. He has failed to do so. Now, he must be removed," he added. Another protestor, echoing the demand for resignation, accused Chowdhury of "inciting the mob" with his remarks.

On Saturday, two young women in Dhaka were reportedly physically assaulted by a group of men for smoking at a roadside tea stall, slapped and punched by 10-12 men who also recorded the incident, which later went viral on social media.