Baton procession at DU demanding exemplary punishment for rapists, resignation of home adviser

Protesters have called for justice for rape in a speedy trial tribunal, exemplary punishment for rapists as well as resignation of the home adviser.

Under the platform "Dhorshon O Niporoner Biruddhe Bangladesh [Bangladesh Against Rape and Harassment]", the protesters organised a baton procession in the Dhaka University area, pressing forth other demands to this end.

This afternoon, members of the platform began their procession from the Raju Memorial Sculpture, went around adjacent areas and concluded with a rally at the same location.

During the event, most participants were seen holding bamboo sticks and chanting various slogans – "We want to fight, we want to survive by fighting, we must survive by fighting," "Immediate punishment for rapists must be ensured," "Jahangir must resign immediately," "Jahangir, step down".

The procession carried banners listing their demands, highlighting the removal of Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam for failing to prevent ongoing incidents of rape, murders and harassment, as well as trial of all rape cases in the speedy trial tribunal. 

DU students say they will boycott classes, exams until rapists served exemplary punishment

Students of DU's Bangla Department also held a protest march and rally this afternoon in front of the Arts Building. Hundreds of students from the department attended the rally.

DU's Bangla Department student Ishita Jahan Orna said, "Rape has become a daily occurrence now. No solution seems to be in sight."

Tamanna Akter, another student said, "Since I was born, I have never seen any exemplary punishment for a rapist. As a result, every day new rapists are born. They are not afraid of rape and women's harassment. 

"From today, we announce a boycott of classes and exams. We will not participate in classes or exams until exemplary punishment is given to these rapists."

Student Mosaddak Ali Ibn Mohammad said, "Through various delays, we rarely see proper justice for rapists. As a result, rapists continue to have the audacity to commit such heinous acts. We have seen instances in the past where rapists were let off due to political backing. We demand that rapists be tried immediately through a special tribunal."

He added, "The home adviser has failed to control the law and order situation in Bangladesh. He must resign immediately. For his failures, he must be brought to justice. The university's anti-harassment cell must be strengthened, and a proper mechanism should be established for students to file complaints."

Students from several departments of the Faculty of Science at Dhaka University (DU) organised a protest march and rally, in protest of the ongoing rapes across the country and demanding rapists be hanged to death. 

Around 12:45pm, they gathered at the Raju Memorial Sculpture. Students from the Department of Physics, Department of Geology, and several other departments were present at the rally.

During the rally, the students chanted slogans such as, "If there's a rope, take the rope, give the rapists the death penalty," "What does Jahangir do? Does he eat, sleep, or what?".

A female student from the Department of Physics said, "Even on International Women's Day, several incidents took place, including the rape of children. We want a proper judicial system to be established in this country to fight against rape. Because in this country, the judicial process takes too long, and rapists get bail. We don't want this kind of justice system. The students of Dhaka University were also out last night protesting rape. Today, we have come here, skipping classes and exams, to stand in protest."

Furkan Ahmed, a student, said, "We want to see the maximum punishment for rapists implemented quickly. If visible justice is not delivered, the number of rapes will continue to rise.