Removal of bidi-cigarette shops nearing Educational institutions demanded to protect Eve-teasing


Bangladesh Tamak Birodhi Jote (BATA) in a human chain demanded removal of bidi-cigarette shops near schools and colleges because Eve-teasers generally take position at these places and tease the girls. The program was chaired by Saifuddin Ahmed, coordinator of Bangladesh Tamak Birodhi Jote (BATA) and was addressed by among others environmentalist and chairman of NDF Ibnul Syed Rana, Dr. M Rafiqul Islam Milon, advisor of Manobik, Adv. Mahbub Alam, president of Badsha, Khalilur Rahman of NATAB, General Secretary of Prattyasha Helal Ahmed, Program officer of YPSA Nazmul Hayder, and policy analyst Sayed Mahbubulk Alam.

Speakers said that Eve-teasing has alarming increased last few years. It threatens girls’ education even leading them to death to save her from the stigma. It is now a serious social problem. Many causes work behind it which should be traced out. Eve-teasers generally wait at the bidi-cigarette shops near schools and colleges and emit smoke at the girls to prove them hero.

The speakers further said that Eve-teasers are generally addicted. They can do anything dangerous. Smoking is the gate-way of addiction which leads the youth to Phensiedyle, Gaja, Heroin and other drugs. Addicts have no control over them. They gradually involve in theft, high-jacking and acts like eve-teasing. In order to save the youth from addiction and protect eve-teasing bidi-cigarette shops should be removed from 500 yards of educational institutions.

They added that many countries in Asia like India and China banned bidi-cigarette shops and vendor of tobacco products within a certain area limit. Like them Bangladesh Governemnt should pass a law and ban bidi-cigarette shops near educational institutions, health clinics, hospitals and other service institutions.

Representatives from WBB Trust, Aid Jhenaidah, ACLAB, Save the Environment Movement (POBA), Dhakabasi Sangathan, ASH Bangladesh , SARDA, PSS, National Non-smoking Forum, Mukta Bangla, Manab Unnayan Sangstha, Janoodhikar Foundation, Hitaishi Bangladesh , Save Saver Movement and other organizations participated in the human chain.