We are deeply shocked by the tragic incident of the rape and murder of a 12-year-old madrasa student by her teachers in Nabinagar Upazila of Brahmanbaria.
It is learnt that the girl's body was found hanging in a room of the madrasa where she studied on February 24. We are told that the madrasa principal often sexually harassed the girl and asked her to have sex with him. When the girl did not agree, three people including the principal raped and killed the child.
Such rapes are happening almost every day in our country including schools, colleges, universities, madrasas and after some time the issues are lost in the abyss of time. We are particularly concerned about madrasas because of the place of respect they enjoy in rural villages and their strong religious influence which can easily lead to bail after arrest. Therefore, it is high time for the government and civil society to address the vulnerability of madrasa students and take prudent steps accordingly.
