Students erupt in protest across the country over rape, sexual violence
Students across the country have taken to the streets horrified by the repeated incidents of rape.
Particularly, the brutal assault of an eight-year-old by her sister's father-in-law has enraged people as citizens began to gather in protest in different corners of the country from late Saturday night and today's early hours.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Dhaka University
Teachers and students of Dhaka University (DU) held a protest rally on campus this morning against the ongoing nationwide violence against women.
Under the banner of the University Teachers' Network, they started gathering at the foot of Aparajeyo Bangla since 11:00am, and the protest rally began at 11:45am.
Faculty members, including Professor Geeti Ara Nasreen and Associate Professor Dr Samina Luthfa, condemned the rising incidents of sexual violence and demanded strict legal action.
Early today, the DU students issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the government to ensure justice for rape victims, warning that failure to act should result in the home adviser's resignation.
The protest began at midnight, with students from Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall marching out and later joining those from Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall.
The demonstration culminated in a rally at Raju Memorial Sculpture, where protesters chanted, "Death to rapists!" and "No place for rapists in our golden Bengal!"
Female students from Rokeya Hall held a torch rally last evening, demanding public executions for rapists.
The march, which started in front of the hall, circled the vice-chancellor's office before returning to its starting point.
Umama Fatema, spokesperson of the Srtudents Against Discrimination announced the formation of an "Anti-Rape Platform" by DU's female students.
They presented two key demands: the immediate establishment of a special tribunal to ensure justice in all rape cases and the execution of those involved in the attempted rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Magura.
If justice was not ensured within 24 hours, the home adviser must step down, she added.
Rajshahi University
At Rajshahi University, several hundred students blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway for half an hour, announcing a boycott of classes and exams to demand stricter measures against rape. They also demanded the implementation of the highest punishment for offenders to ensure women's safety.
Around 11:30am, they held a protest march on Paris Road.
During the demonstration, a student, Samarita Nag, said, "As women, we suffer every single day. Forget strangers -- women are not even safe in their own homes or around relatives. The interim government must guarantee the protection of women's dignity."
On the wee hours of today, students from four universities, including DU, staged midnight protests, demanding swift justice and the highest punishment for rapists amid growing outrage over sexual violence.
The students staged a protest march at 7:15pm yesterday from Zoha Square, demanding capital punishment for rapists.
"Even when we take a rickshaw, drivers make inappropriate comments towards us. If we are not safe on our own campus, how can we be safe on the streets?" asked Sadia Afrin, a student of accounting and information systems.
Protesters criticised the government's failure to protect women and called for immediate action.
Jahangirnagar University
At Jahangirnagar University (JU), students blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway early today, disrupting traffic for 30 minutes.
Chanting slogans such as, "Catch every rapist, bury them one by one," protesters gave the government a 48-hour ultimatum to arrest those responsible for the Magura rape case.
Khulna University
At Khulna University, students staged an unplanned demonstration at 3:00am, demanding capital punishment for the accused in the Magura case.
Protesters from multiple residential halls marched across campus, warning of larger demonstrations if justice was delayed.
Chittagong University
General students of Chittagong University took to the streets, demanding proper investigation of various rape incidents across the country and the highest punishment for the accused as soon as possible. Specifically, they marched to demand the highest punishment for those accused in the rape of an 8-year-old child in Magura.
The protest rally started from Zero Point and ended in front of Sheikh Hasina Hall of the university. Later, students from all halls gathered at Zero Point for a protest assembly. During the protest, students chanted slogans such as 'If a rope is needed, take a rope—hang the rapists!', 'Justice! Justice! We want justice!', 'Burn, burn—ignite the fire!', 'Action to action—direct action!', 'No more tears of my sister—no more, no more'.
They marched across the campus, demanding justice and strict action against sexual violence.
Jagannath University
Students of Jagannath University (JnU) staged a torch procession and protest rally this evening against the ongoing incidents of rape and violence against women and children across the country.
The procession began at the university's Sculpture Square and moved through the main gate, then towards the court premises, before blocking the Tatibazar intersection for about 30 minutes. After the blockade, the protesters returned to the university's main gate for a sit-in.
During the demonstration, students chanted slogans such as: "Catch the rapists one by one, slaughter them one by one!", "No place for rapists in this Bengal!", "We demand justice, interim justice now!", "Answer us, give us justice, rapists must be punished with death!"
The protest rally saw participation from various student organizations and cultural activists of the university.
Students of other institutions including North South University, Independent University Bangladesh, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, and Comilla Victoria Government College held protest rallies against the ongoing nationwide violence against women.
Comments