Educational institutions across Bangladesh were rocked by protests on Sunday as students from universities and colleges across the country demanded justice for rape victims and swift action against violence towards women. The protests, which began at midnight, saw students take to the streets in various parts of the country, calling for urgent reforms in how rape cases are handled and demanding accountability from authorities.
Protests were held at several prominent universities, including Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Buet, and Eden College, with students marching, chanting slogans, and blocking roads. Protesters called for fair investigations into rape incidents and swift punishment for the perpetrators.
At Dhaka University, a group of students from Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall marched to Ruqayyah Hall in protest against sexual harassment and violence. Other students from different halls joined in, chanting slogans and demanding justice. In a symbolic move, female students from Dhaka University announced the formation of an anti-rape platform early in the morning, led by Rafia Rehnuba Hridi, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Council. This was followed by a similar announcement by Umama Fatema, spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, made at the Raju Memorial Sculpture at around 2:10 am.
Meanwhile, students from Jahangirnagar University took to the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in the early hours, blocking the road to demand the immediate arrest and trial of rapists. They held the blockade until 3 am, chanting slogans calling for swift justice. Similar protests took place at Rajshahi University, where students organized anti-rape processions.
From the morning onwards, protests continued at various locations, including the Oporajeyo Bangla sculpture at Dhaka University, Raju Memorial Sculpture, and Buet’s Shaheed Minar. Students and faculty members called for the formation of special tribunals to handle rape cases, faster trials, and the implementation of stronger laws to ensure women’s safety.
Samina Lutfa, a faculty member from the Department of Sociology at Dhaka University, highlighted the need to address issues such as the leaking of personal information by the police and the identification and punishment of cyberbullies who target victims. She also demanded that accused officers be investigated and removed through proper procedures.
At Buet, students formed a human chain to protest against rape and presented six demands, including the death penalty for rapists. They criticized the interim government’s actions, stating that more needed to be done to ensure women’s safety.
Students from Jagannath University (JnU) held a torchlight procession in the evening, marching through the streets of Puran Dhaka, raising their voices against the rising incidents of rape and demanding swift justice for rapists. Similarly, students from the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) organized a protest in the afternoon, calling for the implementation of the death penalty for rapists and greater protection for women.
Protests also took place in Chittagong University, where teachers and students held a collective rally in front of the Shaheed Minar, emphasizing the proper enforcement of existing laws to prevent violence against women. A similar rally in Thakurgaon saw students and local residents protesting against murder, rape, and abuse, chanting slogans like “Stop murder, rape, and abuse; Stand up people.”
In Magura, students from Islamic University (IU) staged a protest by blocking the Kushtia-Khulna highway, demanding the death penalty for rapists. They warned of further protests if no action was taken within 24 hours.
Protests continued across the country, with students in Netrokona submitting a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, demanding justice for recent child rape cases. Rajshahi University students boycotted classes and exams and blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway to demand swift justice for rapists.
Other protests were held in Meherpur, where a human chain was formed in front of the Meherpur Press Club, and in Tangail, where the Anti-Sexual Harassment Platform organized a protest and human chain. Students from Carmichael College in Rangpur also participated in a protest march and rally, chanting anti-rape slogans as they marched through the streets.
The protests have gained widespread support across the country, with students, faculty members, and citizens alike demanding immediate and effective action to combat rape and violence against women. The demonstrations have put pressure on the government and authorities to take stronger measures to ensure justice and women’s safety in Bangladesh.
