A group of Dhaka University students on Friday held a protest rally and procession at about 10:00pm as part of ‘occupy the night’ programme, expressing solidarity with the ongoing protest against the rape and murder of a female doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The protesting students demanded fair investigation into the incident.
They also demanded justice for every rape victim in Bangladesh following the student-led mass uprising.
Students started gathering at the foot of Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University at around 9:45pm. At the beginning of the rally, a one-minute silence was observed lighting candles in memory of those women who have been victims of rape in the country at different times.
Teachers and distinguished individuals also joined in the gathering expressing their solidarity.
Sharmeen Murshid, the social welfare adviser to the interim government, also attended the solidarity rally under the banner of ‘Women, occupy the night’.
In her speech, Sharmeen Murshid said, ‘We want to ensure a safe environment everywhere for women. I stand by you.’
Ania Fahmin, a student from Dhaka University’s anthropology department, said that most rape cases in Bangladesh went unreported. Even if these cases are filed, they seldom reach trial, she added.
She highlighted that many incidents only came to public attention through social media, emphasising the lack of justice for victims.
Expressing her solidarity with the ongoing movement in India, former Jahangirnagar University professor Rahnuma Ahmed said, ‘All rape incidents in the country must be brought to justice.’
The protesting students marched through the campus with placards chanting slogans ‘We will crush patriarchy’, ‘No escape for perpetrators in any guise’, and ‘When freedom is questioned, loyalty spreads across Bengal’, and others.
At the rally, the students made their 13-point demand.
The demands included a thorough investigation into and trial of all rape and murder cases, including those of Tanu and Munia, the resolution of cases of violence against women and children within 180 days, and the guarantee of 33 per cent women’s participation at all levels of government, in line with international agreements.
Earlier, two other rallies were also held at the foot of Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture at around 7:00pm and at around 4:00pm under the banner of the ‘Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’, and under the banner of ‘Justice for RG Kar, Justice for Moumita.’ respectively.
Both of the rallies were held in solidarity with the ongoing protests in India.
After the rally at about 4:00pm under the banner of ‘Justice for RG Kar, Justice for Moumita’, a protest march was held on the Dhaka University campus with the participation from female students.
Students from Several universities, including Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University and BRAC University participated in this protest march.
