Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said there is no such thing as “small” or “big” when it refers to rape or corruption, asserting that all instances are equal under the law.
“Rape is neither small nor big; all are equal,” the minister remarked, adding that “Ramisa and Zisan are both equal in cases of rape”. He further emphasised that it is not possible to demand justice for one instance while ignoring another.
The minister made these comments on Monday while participating in a discussion on cut motions for the supplementary budget of the 2025-26 fiscal year during a session of the Jatiya Sangsad.
Addressing the issue of corruption, Salahuddin noted that while people often refer to “high-level” and “low-level” corruption, the legal definition makes no such distinction. “Corruption and corruption share the same definition. Here, corruption does not become small or big, just as rape is neither small nor big,” he said.
During his speech, the minister also referenced a debate from the previous day, noting he had not been given the scope to respond at the time. He mentioned a social media status posted by the ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, which questioned whether the government could rescue or act within 19 hours of an incident.
Salahuddin said he had issued a statement clarifying the government’s actions after those 19 hours had passed, questioning whether the opposition’s remarks were for or against the act of rape.
As the minister spoke, the Speaker intervened, requesting him to conclude his remarks by focusing specifically on the Anti-Corruption Commission, which was the primary subject of the discussion. In response, Salahuddin transitioned back to the topic of corruption, reiterating that all such acts are equal in the eyes of the law.
