In a horrifying act of violence that has sparked national outrage, Parvin Sultana—a forward for Bangladesh’s Under-19 Women’s National Football Team—was brutally attacked in Maheshkhali, allegedly by religious extremists who oppose women’s participation in sports. According to reports circulating on social media, the assailants slit the tendon of her left leg and stabbed her, leaving her severely injured.
Initial accounts suggest that the attackers targeted Parvin specifically because of her involvement in football, which they claimed is “haram” (forbidden) under their interpretation of Islam. No official statement has yet been issued by the police or local authorities regarding the incident.
This attack is not just an assault on Parvin—it is a direct threat to all women in Bangladesh who dare to dream beyond the boundaries imposed by patriarchal and extremist ideologies. Human rights activists, sports communities, and citizens across the country have condemned the incident, demanding justice and calling on the state to ensure the safety and freedom of women athletes.
A Pattern of Suppression
This is not an isolated case. Female footballers in Bangladesh have repeatedly faced barriers ranging from public shaming to institutional negligence. Just weeks ago in Joypurhat’s Akkelpur upazila, a planned girls’ football match was disrupted when local madrasa students and mosque-goers vandalized the venue and demanded the event be cancelled. Though an apology was later issued by the perpetrators, the recurring pattern of intimidation remains deeply concerning.
Where is the State?
As of now, there has been no public condemnation or assurance from the Ministry of Youth and Sports or the Bangladesh Football Federation. The silence of law enforcement and local administration only adds to the fear that such crimes may continue with impunity.
A Call for Action
Parvin Sultana is not just a victim—she is a symbol of courage, aspiration, and the relentless struggle of Bangladeshi women who choose to defy conservative norms. Gonotaar urges the government to launch an immediate and impartial investigation, ensure exemplary punishment for the perpetrators, and take concrete steps to protect all women in sports from ideological violence.
This is not just about football. This is about the fundamental right of women to move, to speak, to dream—and to play.
