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Tanvir Ahmad Arjel

                                                       Shocking domestic violence

CONTEMPTIBLE domestic violence, especially between spouses, is increasing alarmingly day by day. The latest incident we came across is the brutal torture of a Dhaka University teacher of international relations, Rumana Monzur, by her husband, Hasan Saeed, a graduate of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, whom she had married without her parents’ consent. The heinous attack caused Rumana to lose her eyesight. It proves that domestic violence prevails everywhere, from a family living in the footpath, to a family living in a multi-storeyed castle-like building. In fact, Rumana’s incident is not a random one, although a number of incidents are not coming to light.

The number of separation is increasing at an alarming rate due to domestic violence. A statistics published in New Age Xtra magazine issue of June 3 shows that over the last few years, the rate of divorces has been increasing annually with roughly 80 per cent of the divorces being filed by women. The reasons behind the lawsuits are different, varying from domestic violence to infidelity. According to Dhaka City Corporation officials, everyday nearly 26 divorce notices are being filed on an average. In 2007, about 5324 divorce notices were filed, which increased to 7065 in 2008. Between 2009 and 2010, the number stood at 6000, according to DCC. Only in the first three months of the current year, 1493 divorce notices were filed with the city corporation.

Now it is a matter of grave concern that family ties are gradually collapsing. As a result, disorder and disturbances are increasing in the family which is causing increase in juvenile delinquency. It’s time to contemplate how to strengthen the conjugal bond. The government should add lessons on domestic violence in the curriculum of our education system. It may cut down the extent of domestic violence as well as number of separation in conjugal life.

Md Tanvir Ahmad Arjel

University of Dhaka