Baisakh: celebration and shame

This year too we shall be celebrating Pahela Baisakh, forgetting that last year will always be noted for the biggest mass public sexual assault ever recorded in Bangladesh, at Dhaka University. It led to widespread condemnation, outrage, processions and meetings, and a year later has resulted in exactly what some cynics had said would happen – nothing. Congratulations Bangladesh! You didn't just celebrate a New Year but you celebrated attempted rape. Not many have done that.

Some 30 to 40 rowdy youths assaulted and sexually harassed around 20 women for about one hour at the Suhrawardy Udyan gate near the TSC area around 6:00pm that day. Police were stationed about 20 yards from the spot but did nothing to prevent the assault, not to speak of arresting the alleged criminals. One can understand their mental process. Who knows whose cousin or son is trying to rape, so better be safe and not intervene. Our police have become much better at not arresting than doing so. A year after the incident, the police remain as clueless as ever.  Or maybe they know but can't speak.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner of the time, Mohammad Asaduzzaman Miah had said that no incident of sexual assault took place on the campus on Pahela Baisakh.  He also claimed police did not allow any outsider in the campus area.

"A female student had gone to the TSC area along with her friend when a group of students 'teased' her and another group protested the incident. Our force present there charged batons and dispersed the students. We still do not know the identity of the female student and no one registered any complaint with us, but we are trying to find out the student."

Contradicting the DMP commissioner, witnesses gave detailed descriptions of the assault.

Media reports at that time quoted Liton Nandi, president of Bangladesh Chhatra Union's DU unit, who said that a group of youths tore off almost all the clothes of a 25-year-old woman in front of the Suhrawardy Udyan gate.

"As soon as we rescued her, we saw several youths assault another woman in front of her husband and child. We came under attack as we tried to stop them."

The message seems clear. There is impunity for the rapists and the police will never touch them.  Advocate Salma Ali, executive director of Bangladesh Mahila Ainjibi Samity, has said that at least 362 incidents of sexual assault were recorded in Bangladesh in 2015, which is 24 percent higher than the previous year. It seems we are establishing a strong sexual assault tradition.

The Baisakhi assault and the lessons learnt  

Prof Amzad, who was acting Proctor of Dhaka University, said soon after the incident that most of the people visiting the campus on the day were not students of the university. He added that although security arrangements were made they were not properly put in operation. Prof. Amzad hoped that as the area was under CCTV coverage, the culprit would be caught.

A year later, nothing has been done. Nothing is expected either.

So what are the lessons learnt that we can apply this year?

Just because we depend on the police doesn't mean they will protect us. Our police are remarkably incompetent and can't arrest any criminal unless…

Most public crimes remain untouched and will remain so as the culture of impunity prevails.

Just because its Dhaka University doesn't mean it's a sacred place. The kind of myth we construct around the campus is only subscribed to by harmless idiots like us while the rapists and killers think it's just another place to have fun, usually under police protection.

Just because it was a sexual assault case doesn't mean the authorities have to take it more seriously than other cases. Which means the authorities will not do anything about any criminal case. They are very democratic about not taking action about crime and do not differentiate between crimes.

Just because the DU authorities are guardians of sorts of the campus doesn't mean they will act on behalf of the students. Since the assaulters were not students as the Proctor had said, it simply is not their responsibility.

Just because there are CCTV cameras around doesn't mean the criminals can be identified and punished. These cameras are actually public wall decorations and their objective is to beautify the area, not catch criminals.

Just because crimes have been committed doesn't mean that they have to be caught. If impunity was absent, imagine all theft, property grabbing, unlawful evictions, and many other crimes that would have to be addressed. Who will take that responsibility?

So while people visit the area and return home before dark like little children, remember that this is your country, your Baisakh, your celebration, and if you feel like it, your shame.