Ananta Jalil backtracks from victim-blaming after public backlash

Amid countrywide protests over the growing incidents of rape and violence against women, actor Ananta Jalil -- in a video posted last night (October 10) on his verified Facebook page -- blamed "revealing dresses" worn by women for inviting "unwanted sexual advances". However, after backlash on social media, the actor backtracked and uploaded a "corrected" version this afternoon, claiming that he "does not want to be involved in controversy" and apologised for any "misunderstanding". 

In the original six-minute video titled "Ananta teaches rapists a lesson", posted last night, the actor is heard giving some advice to women "as a brother".

"Women (in Bangladesh) wear indecent dresses inspired by women from other countries, cinemas, television and social media. People look at your figures instead of your faces because of the indecent dresses. They make indecent comments (about women) and think of rape," he had said.

"Do you (women) consider yourselves modern? Is the dress you're wearing modern, or is it indecent? A modern dress means only showing your face and covering your body which will make you look good," the actor said in the video.

He went on to say that any dress that does not cover the whole body makes women look "very bad".

"You go out on the streets wearing a t-shirt like boys. And then you're dishonoured and return home… you either die by suicide or can't show your face in public," he said.

Nearly 1,000 rape cases, including 208 gang-rapes, were reported between January and September this year, according to human rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK). Among the victims, 43 were killed after rape and 12 died by suicide.

The actor said wearing "decent" dresses will deter thoughts of rape. "People will look at you with respect if you wear decent dresses," he said.

Data compiled from media reports by ASK showed that 68 of the victims were below the age of 6. Another 139 victims were between the age of 7 and 12. But this data most likely captures a small number of cases since most survivors do not report assaults fearing social stigma and sometimes fearing for their safety.

Ananta told men to think twice before raping. "What would you do if the same thing happens with your wife, sister?"

He also requested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take measures to enact a law ensuring death penalty for rapists.

The gang-rapes at Sylhet MC College and Begumganj of Noakhali sparked countrywide protests. Demonstrators are demanding strict laws for rape and violence against women.

UN's Bangladesh office in a statement last week recommended an "urgent reform to the criminal justice system to support and protect victims and witnesses and to speed up the slow trial process".

The conviction rate for rape in Bangladesh is below 1 percent, according to the Human Rights Watch. Last week, the law minister said they are proposing raising the highest punishment for rape to death penalty, instead of life imprisonment.