ASK condemns public harassment of dancer in Mymensingh

A female dancer was publicly assaulted, harassed, and humiliated in Mymensingh’s Kalibari Road area, drawing strong condemnation from the Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK).

The ASK, a legal aid and human rights organisation in Bangladesh having the UNECOSOC consultative status, has called for the swift arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.

According to local media and social media reports, a group of known miscreants attacked her on Wednesday, beating her, cutting her hair, and smearing her face with ink.

The victim told ASK that the same group had earlier been involved in the attempted abduction of her child. After securing bail in that case, they allegedly committed this attack as retaliation.

ASK stated that the incident is not only an assault on the dignity and safety of a woman but also a clear violation of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The organisation noted that such acts fall under punishable offenses defined in Sections 354 and 509 of the Penal Code, which criminalize assault and the outraging of a woman’s modesty.

The group urged authorities to ensure a prompt and impartial investigation, bring the offenders to justice, and provide the survivor with protection, medical care, psychosocial support, and legal assistance.

ASK also called on the state to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against such acts of brutality in the interest of human rights and the rule of law.