Editorial
Another unspeakable case of brutality
Only deterrent punishment can help
The appalling case of yet another sadistic husband maiming his wife because she wanted to continue her education gives an eerie feeling of unease. It was only last June that we were dumbfounded by the gory attack, by her husband, on Rumana Majid, a Dhaka University teacher. Now 21-year-old Jui, a college student, has had her right hand severed by her husband while being blindfolded and gagged just because she wanted to continue her studies, despite his objections.
The frequency of such crime indicates that male chauvinism has mutated into a dangerous psychosis that escalates domestic violence to such levels. Men beating their wives or even killing them is an age-old evil in society. It is only recently that it has become a punishable crime. But these examples indicate a growing intolerance of women being empowered as well as a sense of insecurity in these men that trigger such brutal acts. Let us admit to ourselves that these are not isolated incidents. They are happening all over the country and women's lives are cut short or their futures mutilated at the hands of cruel, cowardly, selfish husbands.
Laws already exist to try and punish such culprits. But we do not hear too much about such punishment being carried out. Domestic violence is still considered a family matter, a way to avoid the uncomfortable truth of violence within the home. The Domestic Violence Act, passed in 2010, is still not being implemented as effectively as it should because of lack of awareness.
Is this a spreading psychosis perpetuated by the liberty many men enjoy in our society that allows them to assault and maim their wives whenever their egos are bruised? We need greater public condemnation of such barbarism. If we really want our women to be empowered individuals, they must be allowed to develop themselves intellectually without the fear of being attacked by their own spouses.
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