We are horrified and enraged by the brutal rape, assault, and public humiliation of a 25-year-old Hindu woman in Muradnagar, Comilla. On the night of June 26, the survivor was reportedly raped by a man named Fajr Ali, who forcibly broke into her home over a loan dispute. What followed was an unspeakable chain of violence. She was attacked by others, beaten while unclothed, filmed in that state, and the video was later circulated on social media.
This was not only a case of rape. It was a collective act of dehumanization. A woman’s body was weaponized to entertain a mob, shame her family, and silence her dignity.
We reject any attempts to dismiss this as a matter of personal or “extramarital” dispute. As confirmed by local police officials, there is no evidence supporting such claims. What is clear is that a woman from a marginalized background, with limited protections and resources, was subjected to calculated violence, both physical and digital.
It is also deeply concerning that the survivor is now under pressure to withdraw the case, including from her own husband. This is not justice. This is coercion disguised as compromise.
We demand:
-Swift legal action against Fajr Ali for rape and torture, and against those responsible for filming and distributing the video;
-Protection and trauma-informed support for the survivor and her children;
-An independent investigation into local power dynamics, including the role of political affiliations and drug networks in enabling such violence;
-Accountability from law enforcement and community leaders for any negligence in preventing or responding to the incident.
This is not an isolated case. It reflects the systemic failure to protect survivors, especially women from economically vulnerable and socially isolated communities. We stand in solidarity with the survivor. Her pain must not be buried. Her courage must not be silenced.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives
June 29, 2025
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 