A group of students of the University of Dhaka saluted the high court for being vocal against anti-cultural clothing regarding the harassment of a young woman because of her clothing at Narsingdi railway station.


Thursday (25 August), a human chain program was held at haka University. They saluted and greeted the High Court for this response. They demanded prosecuting importers of western culture in the name of clothing.

One of the students said, 

'"Just as freedom of speech does not mean abusing others, freedom of dress does not mean disturbing others. In the name of freedom of dress, it is never okay to wear clothing that creates public nuisance or public nuisance. Public nuisance is a crime. The dress of private place and public place is never the same. Many people import western subcultures in the name of freedom of dress and make people suffer in public places, it is definitely unfair. Let him practice that freedom in his home, he must follow the values ​​of all in public places."

Another student said,

"Culture is definitely changing. But the culture we adopt must be compatible with our native values. Nowadays the western subculture being imported in the name of freedom of dress is destroying our native culture. It is a form of cultural terrorism." 

Regarding this, a student of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism said, 

"They are talking about the values ​​of the native culture, but they did not wear the clothes of the native culture. On the one hand, they celebrate the Arab culture, want the freedom of special religious dress, on the other hand, after harassing others about their dress, they talk about the native culture."

A student was abused on May 18 at Narsingdi railway station because of her clothing. After the video of the incident was spread on social media, there was widespread criticism and the Narsingdi Railway Police filed a case with the Bhairav ​​Railway Police Station. One of the accused in the case of harassment and beating of the girl, Marzia Akhter alias Sheela, was arrested by the police on May 30. The High Court spoke about this during the hearing of Shila's bail application.

At one stage of the hearing in the court, Assistant Attorney General Syeda Zahida Sultana said,

"A person has the right to choose what to wear. Therefore, he cannot insult and harass for this."

Then the court said to the Assistant Attorney General, 

"Is there a right to preserve heritage and culture? Clothing does not fall into the culture? The socio-economic status of the society to which one goes is also a factor. One type in Dhaka, another type in the village."


Sources

  • “সভ্য দেশে এমন পোশাক পরে রেলস্টেশনে যায় কি: হাইকোর্ট | প্রথম আলো.” Prothom Alo, www.prothomalo.com, 17 Aug. 2022, https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/t1is8vl2i3.
  • Kantho, Kaler. “পোশাক নিয়ে হাইকোর্টের মন্তব্যের সমর্থনে ঢাবিতে মানববন্ধন | কালের কণ্ঠ.” Kalerkantho, www.kalerkantho.com, 25 Aug. 2022, https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/national/2022/08/25/1176584.