"Apart from Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladesh is now witnessing the epidemic of corruption and violence against women,” said BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan.

Speaking at a human-chain programme, he said. “We must get rid of this epidemic and protect the country’s people."

Nari O Shishu Odhikar Forum (Women and Children Rights Forum), arranged the programme in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office protesting the growing price hike of daily essentials.

Nazrul condemned the incident of a ‘gang-rape’ in a dormitory of Sylhet MC College and demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the offenders.

"MC College Principal told reporters that he’s helpless. You may be helpless but those who have the ability and the courage can take steps to stop such acts,” he said.

He warned that people will take to the streets like that of the mass upsurge in the 90s if proper steps are not taken to check the repression on women.

A 19-year-old married girl was reportedly raped by a group of youths in a dormitory of Sylhet MC College on Friday night. The rapists violated the girl around 7pm after tying up her husband in a room of the hostel.

The BNP leader said people are going through a serious ordeal due to the unusual price hike of onion other essentials, vegetables and kitchen items.

BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, among others, joined the programme.

Also read: MC College gang rape: 2 accused on 5-day remand