Burying somebody alive?

The woman was a casualty of the ruthlessness of the members of her husband's family to an extent that her fidelity as a wife was being questioned by her tormentors. So, a 'soothsayer' and a teacher from a madrassah were brought into the scene to decide Nur Banu's fate. They decreed that she be buried alive to prove her chastity, adding that if she hadn't been disloyal to her husband she would come out of the grave without any scratch!

The Nilphamari incident, which might have resulted in the extra judicial killing of a woman in a most barbaric manner, is another reminder of the utter helplessness and vulnerability of poor women in rural areas. These women are destined to suffer as the rural society continues to show a cruel indifference to their cause. However, the men who came to Nur Banu's rescue have shown that there are people who can make a difference in the lives of helpless women by standing beside them. We need more such men to build a strong rampart against orthodoxy in any form or shape or the gullibility in some people to receive any obscurantism-induced message. The gender bias is far too conspicuous -- only women are held responsible for all kinds of suspected moral infractions. Male tyranny at its worst!

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Now, the men and women who tried to kill Nur Banu must be given the type of punishment that works as a real deterrent. We cannot allow women to be subjected to such medieval (or worse form of) barbarism.