Violence against women: Protests rage on streets, online
Students across the country took to the streets for the third day in a row yesterday, demanding justice for victims of sexual violence, stricter punishment for offenders, and the resignation of the home affairs adviser.
The protests erupted after the rape of an 8-year-old girl, who is now fighting for her life, sparking outrage nationwide.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Demonstrations were held at universities and key locations, with students blocking roads and forming human chains to press home their demands.
Protesters called for swift legal action, with some demanding special tribunals to ensure faster trials for rape cases.
Many students boycotted classes and took to social media, posting blindfolded photos in solidarity with victims.
In Dhaka, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (Marxist) held a demonstration at Raju Sculpture.
Protesters criticised the government's failure to curb sexual violence and condemned the adviser's dismissive remarks on recent harassment cases. They also denounced the culture of impunity that allows perpetrators to escape justice.
As part of their nationwide programme, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders and activists formed a human chain in front of the High Court.
Addressing the event, JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib expressed concerns over the increasing incidents of rape, online harassment, and violence against women, as well as the deteriorating law and order situation and the lack of justice for victims of such crimes.
He urged the government to take immediate action and ensure the quick and fair trial of those responsible for the rape of the eight-year-old girl from Magura.
In Rajshahi, several hundred students from various institutions blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway, demanding the implementation of the highest punishment for rapists to ensure the overall safety of women
The protest march started from Rajshahi University's Paris Road around 11:30am. The march moved towards the university's main gate around 12:15pm. They then blocked the highway until 1:00pm.
Fahim Reza, one of the protesters, said, "We demand setting up a special tribunal to accelerate the trials of rape cases. We will continue our movement against rape. Interim government must take effective steps to stop rape and ensure women safety."
Students from different departments boycotted their classes and joined the protest. Students have also undertaken a programme of uploading blindfolded photos of themselves on social media to show solidarity against rape.
Students of Chittagong University staged a sit-in protest on the campus.
Teachers of the university were also present at the demonstration. During the programme, they addressed the issue of illegal expulsion orders of female students at CU.
The sit-in took place at the Shaheed Minar premises on the university campus at 11:30am.
Speaking at the event, Prof GH Habib from the English department said that incidents of murder, rape, and violence continue to occur in this country, but justice has not been served in any of these cases year after year.
"The culture of impunity persists day after day. We must collectively, strategically, and persistently fight against this. Reforming our education system should be the first step. Only then can we gradually overcome these issues."
In Cumilla, a student blockade on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway led to a 10-km tailback.
When police intervened, students warned of escalating actions if authorities failed to ensure exemplary punishment for offenders.
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