The Chief Adviser’s Office has strongly criticized the recent comments made by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali, in which he discouraged the use of the term “rape” in public discourse.
In an official statement on Sunday, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual violence.
“Rape 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,” Alam stated.
The government emphasized that sugarcoating such crimes by using euphemisms only serves to diminish their gravity and silence victims.
The controversy erupted after DMP Commissioner Sazzat Ali stated on Saturday (March 15) that he “strongly dislikes the word ‘rape’” and urged media professionals to replace it with terms like “violence against women” or “repression of women”.
“Even the law is called the ‘Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.’ Let’s avoid words that sound unpleasant,” he said.
He also suggested that the media should exercise caution while reporting rape cases, claiming that such news creates panic among the public.
Rejecting the DMP chief’s stance, the Chief Adviser’s Office made it clear that the interim government will not tolerate any form of violence against citizens and will ensure justice for survivors of sexual crimes.
The government has called for sensitive but accurate reporting on rape cases, stressing that raising awareness is essential to tackling the issue.
“Hiding the truth does not prevent crime; it only emboldens perpetrators. The government remains committed to justice and the protection of all citizens,” the statement concluded.
