Dhaka, March 9 (Dhaka Tribune) – Recent rapes and violence against women across Bangladesh have led to widespread protests at Dhaka University (DU), with students from different departments boycotting classes.
The Dhaka University campus saw unrest from the early hours of Sunday.
After protests from dormitories, students from various departments demonstrated under their respective department banners, demanding rapists be brought to justice.
Faculty members also joined the protests, showing solidarity with the students.
The students declared a platform against rape during the first hour of the day.
Female students from the dorms took to the streets in protest, and by morning, various departments were actively engaged in movements, with many students boycotting classes and exams in their demand for justice.
Departments such as English, Bangla, Political Science, Linguistics, Public Administration, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics and Geology were actively protesting.
Faculty members from these departments also participated in the protests.
Ishita Jahan Arna, a student from the Bangla Department, said: “Every day, we see news of one rape after another on social media. Even young children are becoming victims. Where is our safety?
“We stand here for the safety of our mothers and sisters. We stand for the safety of our female students, our mothers, and our sisters.”
Mossadek, another student from the same separtment, expressed concern about the long delays in the proper prosecution of rapists, which he said has allowed them to commit heinous acts repeatedly.
“We demand the immediate formation of a special tribunal to prosecute rapists.”
He also criticized the home affairs adviser for failing to maintain law and order and demanded that he resign and face legal consequences.
Mossadek stressed the need to strengthen the university’s anti-harassment cell to appropriately address student complaints.
Bashar, a student from the Linguistics Department, said: “We stand here in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture against the notorious rapists. We stand here to demand justice for our sister Asia.
“Over the past few months, rape has become a national terror. We, the students of Linguistics, stand here to protect our sisters, to ensure that they can walk the streets with the right to safety. Our only appeal to the government is to ensure instant execution for rapists; otherwise, the public may soon take matters into their own hands,” he added.
Prof Syeda Lasna Kabir from the Public Administration Department, who joined the protest, said: “We have never seen exemplary punishment for rapists. If we can enforce suitable and exemplary punishment, rapists will be deterred by fear and stop committing these crimes. We want to say that these rapists are worse than animals. At least animals don’t harm their young, but they have not spared our little sister Asia.”
A female student from the Physics Department added: “Even on Women’s Day, several incidents of rape occurred, including the rape of a child. Despite these occurrences, we cannot sit idly by.
“We want a proper judicial system in this country to deal with rape cases. Our current judicial system is slow and allows rapists to receive bail. We do not want this kind of justice system. We, the students of Dhaka University, were out protesting last night against rape and today, we are here again, boycotting classes and exams to continue our protest.”
Dr Sabbir Ahmed, a professor from the Department of Political Science, said: “We regret and protest the ongoing heinous violence against women through rape across the country. While we may face political violence in the aftermath of a revolution, the violence against women is unacceptable. If we cannot prevent such violence, the success of democracy in this country will be compromised.”
Associate Professor Kazi Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman from the Department of Political Science said: “Protesting the ongoing oppression and rape of women in post-revolutionary times is everyone’s duty. The students of Dhaka University, along with citizens of Bangladesh, have fought for peace in this country. The fight against the oppression of women will continue.”
In addition, faculty members from the University Teachers’ Network, including Professor Giti Ara Nasrin from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, also joined the protests.
She pointed out that violence against women, both within the family and in public, cannot be attributed to sudden actions.
“Society normalizes this violence, and it is used as a way to exercise power. Women are often asked why they went out, which empowers the perpetrators.”
https://www.dhakatribune.com/375817
END
