Nationwide Protests Demand Justice for Rape Victims as Students and Teachers Rally Across Universities

Teachers and students staged protests across the country today, demanding justice for rape victims and capital punishment for rapists. Demonstrations took place at Dhaka University and several other institutions, reflecting growing outrage over recent sexual violence cases.

At Dhaka University (DU), protesters gathered at the Oporajeyo Bangla sculpture at 11:00 AM, where teachers and students voiced their demands. Among the speakers were Professor Gitiara Nasreen from the Mass Communication and Journalism Department, and Associate Professor Samina Luthfa from Sociology.

Students from various departments marched across the campus, condemning the rising violence against women.

Dhaka Medical College students staged a protest at the Raju Memorial Sculpture, covering their faces and foreheads with red cloth in a symbolic act against sexual violence. Holding placards with anti-rape slogans, they demanded an end to impunity for perpetrators.

Protesters specifically called for swift justice in the rape of an 8-year-old girl in Magura, urging authorities to ensure fair investigations and capital punishment for those responsible.

Students of Southeast University also took to the streets, organizing a protest march in the Tejgaon industrial area. They shouted slogans against rape and the culture of impunity. Demonstrations were also reported at several other private universities in Dhaka.

The protests began late Saturday night, when students of Dhaka University marched from residential halls and gathered at the Raju Memorial Sculpture at midnight, demanding justice and tougher punishments for rapists.

Similar demonstrations were held at Rajshahi University, Khulna University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), and Jahangirnagar University.