Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali on Monday expressed his regret about his Saturday鈥檚 remarks in which he urged media not to use the word 鈥榬ape鈥� and use 鈥榲iolence against women鈥� or 鈥榬epression of women鈥� instead.
His remarks attracted widespread criticism and condemnation amid increased public discourse on issues such as sexual violence, with many questioning the role of law enforcement agencies in addressing such crimes.
According to a press release signed by DMP deputy commissioner for media and public relations Mohammad Talebur Rahman, the DMP chief said in a statement, 鈥榃hile discussing the issue of violence against women and children, I referred to rape as a broader form of violence. If anyone was hurt by my statement, I express my regret.鈥�
Sazzat鈥檚 regret came after the Chief Adviser鈥檚 Office in a statement on Sunday strongly condemned the remark made by the DMP chief.
鈥楻ape is rape, whether committed against an 8-year-old or an 80-year-old. Such a heinous crime must be called by its rightful name. The interim government will not tolerate any form of violence against any citizen of Bangladesh,鈥� said the statement shared by the chief adviser鈥檚 press wing.
On Saturday, Sajjat at a programme said, 鈥業 strongly dislike the word 鈥渞ape鈥�. I request you not to use it. Instead, use terms like violence against women or repression of women. Even the law is called the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Let鈥檚 avoid words that sound unpleasant.鈥� 聽