‘Let women live with their heads held high’

Following recent reports of rape at the hostel of Murari Chand College in Sylhet and Noakhali gang rape, the whole country has become vocal in protest against sexual violence. The national cricketers have also joined forces with the mass, voicing their opinion through social media.

Former Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza urged everyone to bring a change in their mindset to help put a stop to such barbaric incidents.

"When your daughter is sitting on your lap, you don't have that feeling. Even when your sister is in the room next to you, that feeling doesn't come. When you go out for a walk with your wife, you feel bad when someone looks at her crookedly. But do you and I have the same feelings about seeing others?

"If not, you have to understand, the problem is in the minds of many. Maybe not everything is revealed due to environmental conditions. Let's change the mindset. Let women live with their heads held high. And rapists do not have any identity. He is ugly, maybe not in appearance, but in mentality," Mashrafe wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday. 

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim mentioned that there should not be any space for sexual harassment in society.

"We cannot stay silent anymore. Rape or any kind of sexual harassment can never be tolerated, it has no space in society.

"Wake up Bangladesh. Say no to rape. No means NO," wrote Mushfiqur on his Facebook page yesterday.

Pacer Rubel Hossain wrote: "How unfortunate are those human-like-animals who, even after being born from a mother's womb, did not learn how to respect women. Mothers and sisters stay safe. There are some animals shaped as humans living in this city. I have lost words to write. We want rape-free Bangladesh." 

Opener Soumya Sarkar said that abusers should never receive any sorts of mercy.

"No woman has to be a victim of physical abuse. Women have to feel like they are not alone. There is no mercy for the abusers." 

Earlier, Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan urged for collective action against rape through a Facebook post.