Let's all go to Barguna

Amid countless incidents, we may have forgotten little Aylan Kurdi. On September 3, 2015, the three-year-old boy drowned in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to reach Europe. His lifeless body, face down on the sand, was found on a Turkish shore. The photograph was published in leading newspapers worldwide, shaking the conscience of millions. World leaders expressed sorrow and solidarity. Along with Aylan, his five-year-old brother Galip Kurdi and their mother Rehana also perished in the tragic incident.

Aylan’s father, Abdullah Kurdi, was a Syrian resident. When the civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, he fled to Turkey with his family. From there, they attempted to reach Greece by boat, hoping to eventually settle in Canada, where Abdullah’s sister, Tima, worked as a hairstylist. Heartbroken, Abdullah later said, "My children were the most beautiful in the world. They used to wake me up every day, play with me. What could be more beautiful? Now, everything is gone." A lament shared by all parents who lose their children.

In that same year, over 2,500 people drowned in the Mediterranean while attempting to reach Europe illegally. But Aylan’s image struck a deep chord with the world. It sparked immediate reactions from politicians and the public alike. The then French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, tweeted, "Europe must act urgently to ensure solidarity."

France and Germany agreed that the European Union (EU) should enforce quotas for accepting asylum seekers in member states. Even then UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who had taken a tough stance on refugees and illegal migrants, admitted to being deeply moved by Aylan’s image and announced that Britain would take in thousands of Syrian refugees. In just two days, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) received $100,000 in aid from around the world. The International Olympic Committee also launched an emergency fund for refugees from Syria and Iraq, receiving an overwhelming response—all because of Aylan’s tragic death.

Dear readers, I apologize for digressing from the main topic, but allow me to explain why I brought up Aylan’s story. Just as his image shook the world, the story of little Achiya from Magura has shaken our nation. The eight-year-old girl, a victim of rape, united people across Bangladesh in solidarity. Countless people prayed for her. Thousands took to the streets demanding justice. The state did everything possible to provide medical treatment. Yet, on March 14, Achiya left this world, leaving the nation in grief.

BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has pledged legal assistance for Achiya’s case. Even before this, he stood by the family. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami’s leader, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has taken full responsibility for the family. Both politicians deserve appreciation for their support.

Achiya is gone, and we mourn her loss. But what about those who have survived sexual violence? They continue to suffer in silence, facing humiliation and threats. Some are pressured to withdraw cases. A father was even murdered after filing a case against those who abducted and raped his daughter. That incident, too, is slowly being covered up.

It is time to go to Barguna. Let’s all go to Barguna.

You might ask—why Barguna? Because a teenage girl was raped there. Days later, her father was murdered. Now, the family is helpless, and the mother is contemplating suicide with her children. What a horrific reality they are facing—something we can hardly imagine. Yet, no one is standing by them.

News reports state that the girl was abducted and raped on her way to school. On March 5, her father filed a case at Barguna Sadar Police Station. The accused, Sreejib Chandra Roy, was arrested the same day. However, on the night of March 11, the father’s dead body was found in a bush behind their house in Kalibari, Barguna. The next day, his wife filed a murder case against unknown assailants. After the murder case, police detained Sreejib’s father, Shriram Roy, along with two of his associates, Kalu and Rafiqul Islam. Yet, no one has been named as a murder suspect. Locals are demanding that the perpetrators be brought to justice and that the victim’s family be provided with security.

The deceased’s sister revealed that Sreejib had a history of misconduct. On March 4, the girl went missing in the evening. She was found the next morning near the DC Park area, visibly traumatized. When questioned, she revealed that Sreejib had abducted and assaulted her. The rape case hearing was scheduled for March 12. But on March 11, her father was murdered. The victim’s mother believes the perpetrators of the rape and abduction were also behind her husband’s murder. She now lives in fear for the safety of her remaining children.

Barguna Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Dewan Jaglul Hasan, stated that the investigation is ongoing, but no suspects have been identified yet. Three people have been arrested for the rape and abduction case, while one suspect was released on a bond.

Sexual violence and rape are not new occurrences. So why is there such an outcry now? Because it has become an epidemic. Even fathers are among the accused. In Dhaka’s Rampura, a rickshaw puller was recently arrested for raping his own daughter. Teachers, close relatives—no one seems trustworthy anymore. Women and children are unsafe everywhere.

According to the human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 39 women were raped in January alone. Of these, 21 were individual cases, and 18 were gang rapes. In February, 57 rape cases were reported, including 17 gang rapes and two cases where the victims were murdered. Among the victims, five were disabled.

Public outrage against violence towards women and children is rising. Justice is being served in many cases, but law enforcement must treat such cases as a priority. Investigations should be completed within 7 to 10 days. Lawyers must not delay proceedings unnecessarily. Trials should be expedited.

Beyond justice, we must build a social movement against rape. Everyone must be vigilant. Parents need to be more protective of their children. Political and social organizations must unite to combat this crisis. The moment a rape occurs, we must all rise in unison—just as we did for Achiya.

The author is a journalist.