Students and academics from various universities across Bangladesh have taken to the streets in protest against recent rape incidents, including the brutal assault of an eight-year-old girl in Magura and another one in Savar, demanding stringent punishment for the perpetrators.
Demonstrations erupted in multiple universities, with students of Dhaka University (DU) staging a protest under the banner of the University Teachers’ Network at Aparajeyo Bangla.
The protest began on Sunday (9 March) at 11am and continued until 12:15pm, with students marching, forming human chains, and chanting slogans condemning sexual violence.
Dr Samina Luthfa, a professor of sociology at DU, criticised the administration for its failure to ensure justice for victims.
"We demand accountability for negligence in addressing harassment cases and call for immediate action against those responsible for cyber-attacks and threats against survivors," she stated.
She further called for an investigation into groups glorifying violence against women.
Parallel protests unfolded at North South University (NSU) and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), where students gathered in front of NSU’s Gate No. 8 in Bashundhara Residential Area, demanding exemplary punishment for rapists.
At Rajshahi University (RU), students gathered at the campus entrance at 11:40am, blocking the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway in protest.
Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "We want justice" and "Who are you, who am I? Aseya, Aseya," expressing their outrage over the continued failure to curb sexual violence.
A protester, speaking anonymously, decried the government's inaction, saying, "From Tonu to Aseya, justice remains elusive. If the authorities cannot punish rapists, the people will ensure justice themselves."
Protests had also erupted the night before, as students congregated at Shamsuzzoha Chattar at 8:45pm, demanding justice.
Jahangirnagar University (JU) students took their outrage to the Dhaka-Aricha highway in the early hours of 9 March.
Around 1:45am, students mobilised from Rafiq-Jabbar Hall and marched through female residential halls before heading to the main gate, where they were joined by peers from at least 12 halls.
By 2:30am, they had blocked the highway, demanding immediate legal action against rapists. The protest lasted until 3:00am.
Nazmul Islam, a student of Anthropology, compared the current law and order situation to the chaos under Sheikh Hasina’s administration. "The same impunity for criminals persists. This cannot be the Bangladesh that emerged from a mass uprising," he declared.
At Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), students gathered from 1:00am to 3:30am, with around 500 protesters vowing to establish an anti-rape platform on campus.
Female students led the demonstration, breaking the locks of dormitories to rally their peers.
Chanting slogans such as "Inform the whole nation, bury the rapists," the students vowed to continue their movement until justice is served.
Protests against sexual violence have been escalating in Bangladesh, with university students at the forefront of the movement.
Amid mounting public anger and calls for immediate legal action, the government faces increasing pressure to ensure justice and restore faith in the country’s legal system.
