Editorial
Zero tolerance to stalking
Dhaka University must lead the way
In a demonstration of stern attitude taken towards harassment of female students by some of their male counterparts, Dhaka University authorities have expelled four students for a year. Normally, the incident would have made news anyway; yet, it makes us sit up and take note especially because all the expelled students who stand to lose an academic year are all members of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), an associate of the ruling Awami League.
Those punished are guilty of double-count culpability: one, that they kept pestering a female student including hurling abusive words at her; and two, they assaulted six students who stood up to them protesting their stalking. They have also been asked to show cause by November 24 as to why they should not be expelled permanently.
The students should not get away with any light punishment if the authorities are to make their point forcefully with the desperadoes that are breathing down heavily on any notion of civility and sanctity of educational institutions. If institutions of higher learning have such black sheep what then are we supposed to expect in terms of decency, respect for women and courteous behaviour across gender from other academic campuses. What example are they setting for those who have not received the light of education and are unemployed with a plenty of time to loiter about and pester girls making their lives miserable. In some cases driving the victims to suicide that has recently rocked the nation.
No wonder, the pervasive nature of the crime has taken on a phenomenal proportion. Along with challenging nature of it, some response pattern is also emerging which is heartening. The relatives and peers are standing up to the stalkers and protesting their antisocial activity. What is awaited now is a resurgence of resistance against the menace at the institutional and community levels which has just about began. Let it gain further ground.
Giving teeth to the laws is being talked about; but we believe, enforcement of the existing laws and convicting and punishing the culprits without mercy can have the desired deterrent effect.
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