- Rezaur Rahman Rizvi
The tragic rape and murder of young Ramisa in Mirpur, Dhaka, a few days ago has shaken not only one family, but the conscience of the entire society. When such horrific incidents continue to occur repeatedly, an unavoidable question emerges: Is the responsibility solely that of a mentally depraved criminal, or do the state and society also share part of the blame? The question of “Ramisa Murder: Individual Responsibility vs State Responsibility” has therefore become profoundly significant today.
First and foremost, there is no room to deny individual responsibility. The person who raped and murdered an innocent child did not merely violate the law; he crossed the darkest boundaries of humanity itself. The harshest possible punishment must be ensured for such offenders. A culture of impunity or prolonged judicial delay sends dangerous signals to society. When criminals perceive that influence, money, or political connections can help them evade punishment, the fear of committing crimes diminishes. Therefore, the direct responsibility for such a heinous act unquestionably rests upon the perpetrator.
However, the discussion cannot end there. When incidents of child rape, violence against women, and murder continue to rise in a society, it becomes evident that the issue is not merely individual—it reflects a broader social and state failure. Criminals do not emerge in isolation. Weaknesses within families, society, the education system, cultural environments, and state structures all contribute, directly or indirectly, to the formation of distorted mindsets.
The state’s foremost responsibility is to ensure the safety of its citizens. If a child cannot remain safe even within the surroundings of their own home, then serious questions naturally arise regarding the effectiveness of the state’s security mechanisms. In Bangladesh, it is frequently observed that investigations into child abuse cases proceed slowly, evidence collection is often inadequate, and trials remain unresolved for years. In many instances, influential circles attempt to interfere. As a result, victimized families are deprived of justice. This culture emboldens criminals further.
Passing laws alone is not enough; ensuring their effective implementation is equally important. Bangladesh already has laws addressing violence against women and children, but the real question is how effectively these laws are enforced in practice. If swift justice and visible punishment had become a consistent reality, many criminals might have thought twice before committing such crimes.
Another major aspect of state responsibility lies in the failure to build social awareness. Discussions surrounding sexual violence remain deeply stigmatized in our society. Children are still not adequately taught concepts such as “good touch” and “bad touch.” Many families suppress such incidents out of fear, shame, or social stigma, allowing perpetrators to exploit silence. Had the state incorporated effective education on child safety, ethics, and humanity into the educational system, the situation might have improved significantly.
The role of mass media and social media is also important in this context. While awareness is increasing in some ways, distorted and violent content is also becoming increasingly accessible. Effective initiatives are needed to regulate pornography, violence, and degrading content targeting women online. Various studies have expressed concern that prolonged exposure to such content may negatively affect human psychology. However, blaming content alone is insufficient; family education and social values are equally crucial.
Society itself also bears responsibility. Often, people express outrage after such crimes occur, organize protests, and raise their voices online—but within days, everything fades into silence again. In many cases, victims themselves are subjected to scrutiny and blame. The mindset of viewing the safety of women and children not merely as a family issue, but as a broader social and state concern, has yet to fully develop.
Another critical issue is political will. If the state treated violence against women and children with the highest priority and ensured swift justice, public confidence would grow stronger. Yet, in reality, even major incidents tend to disappear from public focus after a few days. Consequently, people begin to lose faith in the possibility of obtaining justice. Such hopelessness is dangerous for any society.
The death of children like Ramisa exposes a painful truth before us—we are failing to build a safe society. While the individual responsibility of the perpetrator is undeniable, the responsibility of the state cannot be ignored either. The state is not merely a law-enforcing institution; it also carries the obligation to ensure citizens’ safety, education, justice, and a humane social environment.
Several urgent steps must therefore be prioritized. First, investigations into child abuse cases must be conducted swiftly, and trials should be expedited through special tribunals. Second, age-appropriate education regarding child protection and sexual violence should be introduced at the school level. Third, families must develop open and trusting relationships with children so they can report uncomfortable experiences without fear. Fourth, society must cultivate a culture that views women and children not as “weak,” but as individuals entitled to full human dignity and respect. Fifth, the judicial system must remain free from political and administrative influence.
The murder of Ramisa is not merely a news story; it is a profound question confronting the state, society, and humanity itself. Will we simply vent our anger by demanding punishment for the offender, or will we build a system where no child ever has to lose their life in such a horrific way again? If we stop merely by blaming the individual, the root causes of the problem will remain invisible. Yet if we shift all responsibility solely onto the state while ignoring personal accountability, justice will also remain incomplete.
The truth is that this responsibility is collective. The criminal’s guilt is immeasurable, but a state and society that fail to prevent such crimes cannot claim complete innocence either. Justice for Ramisa does not mean only punishing one offender—it means building a safer Bangladesh where no parent ever again has to hold the lifeless body of their child in their arms.
Writer: Editor, TheStatement24.com