Sexual violence: Protests flare on campuses

Students across the country took to the streets yesterday, outraged by the "government's inaction" amid a series of incidents of rape and sexual violence against children in recent days.

Holding placards, they chanted slogans like, "Wake up government!", "End the silence, punish the rapists!", "Stop the violence, protect women!" and "Hang the rapists!".

In Dhaka, the protests have been widespread, taking place at prominent educational institutions such as Jagannath University, Eden College, Government Titumir College, the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and BRAC University.

At BRAC University, students held a demonstration on campus in front of the university's main gate in the morning.

They presented a 13-point demand that included stricter law enforcement, the establishment of special tribunals for rape cases, increased police presence and enhanced protection for victims.

They also called for the implementation of capital punishment for convicted rapists, the creation of a confidential investigation system for victims reluctant to report crimes and government-funded psychological rehabilitation services for survivors.

Additionally, they urged the authorities to deploy armed patrol teams in high-crime areas, ensure police stations are fully staffed and install CCTV surveillance nationwide.

The students also demanded that the home affairs adviser resign, citing the administration's failure to prevent crimes.

Samiha Chowdhury, an English and humanities student, expressed a sense of fear gripping the nation.

 "With rape cases surging, we are afraid to step outside. Even going to university feels unsafe. We want immediate action from the government," she said.

Meanwhile, on Mirpur Road in Dhaka, a separate protest led by students and activists disrupted traffic for three hours.

The demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Wake up, government, we demand justice for the rapists".

Nur Mohammad, a protester, reiterated their demand for capital punishment for rapists.

At Eden College, students gathered at Bakultala and brought out a torch procession. They demanded that no one in the "new Bangladesh" should ever fall victim to rape again.

Sumaiya Saina, a student, criticised the state's failure to ensure women's safety.

"Women who led the revolution now find themselves unsafe at home and on the streets. The state has failed them," she said.

Another student said the state has failed to protect them.

With rape cases surging, we are afraid to step outside. Even going to university feels unsafe. We want immediate action from the government.

— Samiha Chowdhury, BRAC University student

"A child was raped while picking flowers to pay respect to Language Movement martyrs. Women are violated by their neighbours, assaulted on buses. Nowhere is safe," she added.

Students at Titumir College held a human chain and protest march, warning of tougher actions if the perpetrators were not brought to justice within 72 hours.

They have called for the immediate identification and prosecution of offenders.

At Jagannath University, a protest rally by the "Jagannath University Student Forum" gathered momentum.

The protest began with a march through key areas of the campus and concluded at the 1971 Genocide Sculpture.

"The government that came to power through a mass uprising seems to be betraying the revolution -- it must ensure public safety, or admit its failure and step down," said Shatabdika Urmi, a Bangla student.

Students of ULAB also held a "Human Chain Against Rampant Crimes" at their permanent campus, highlighting the growing concerns over unchecked criminal activities.

Meanwhile, in Tangail, students staged a day-long sit-in protest under the banner of the Women and Children Anti-Sexual Abuse Forum, demanding justice for sexual violence victims.

The protest, which began at 9:00am at Tangail Central Shaheed Minar, culminated in a call for thorough investigations and the maximum punishment for offenders.

They cited the alarming number of rape incidents in the past 48 hours, describing it as evidence of extreme lawlessness.

Elsewhere, Biplobi Chhatra Maitri members staged a protest outside the National Museum in Shahbagh on Saturday, condemning child rape and ongoing violence against women.

The protesters expressed frustration at the government's failure to ensure women's safety and questioned the commitment of Women and Children's Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid.

She was once known as a feminist activist, but her class allegiance has become clear since assuming power, said Nuzia Hasina Rasha, president of the Dhaka University unit of Biplobi Chhatra Maitri.

"Has she gone deaf? Why is she not hearing the cries of oppressed women? What concrete steps has this so-called interim government taken to ensure women's equality and safety? Have they introduced new plans to protect women?" she asked.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, expressing serious concern over these incidents, said such crimes are increasing, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for women.

It also questioned the effectiveness of law enforcement, stressing that violence against women hampers their ability to lead normal and progressive lives.

The organisation called for impartial investigations and strict punishment for the perpetrators, and urged the authorities to prioritise women's safety through immediate and effective measures.