The curse of fatwa

Although there has been a noticeable lull in fatwa-related incidences in recent times, but of late we feel worried about an incident, which took place in a village at Fulachari Upazila. Apparently a 16-year old girl was allegedly raped by Madhu Mia and Fariduddin Fakim on January 31, subsequently on March 24 the principal of the Fulchari Madrasah Sirajul Islam and teacher Aminul Islam issued a fatwa sentencing both the accused and the victim to 57 lashes. While the young rape victim became unconscious after being subjected to 51 lashes the two accused managed to flee after taking 21 lashes.

It is, however, heartening to see that having been enraged thousands formed a human chain in Fulchari protesting against all such forms of barbarism of the medieval age enacted in the name of fatwa. We wish to commend all local NGOs and women's rights bodies that organised the protest against the heinous act.

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We have the Dowry Prevention Act of 1980, the Family Ordnance 1985 and the Women Repression Act of 1983 -- all apparently aimed at preventing repression against women. Despite all these acts and ordinances, it is sad to see that as yet both the society and the state have failed to enforce the rights of women. It is clear that mere existence of laws cannot ensure prevention against such serious violations unless the state is serious about enforcing the provisions of all such acts and ordinances. The civil society should also be proactively involved in creating social awareness against such criminal violations of women's rights. However, the lead has to come from the administration.