Teachers, students stage protests, demand exemplary punishment of rapists
JU teachers, students hold anti-rape procession, human chain
Students of Islamic University blocked Khulna-Kushtia highway today (9 March), demanding exemplary punishment of all rapists and maximum penalty for the accused in the rape of an eight-year-old child in Magura.
Around 12pm, students organised a protest march starting from the university's Bot Tola area. The procession moved along the road next to the main gate after circling various routes on campus, university sources said.
During the rally, speakers emphasised that such incidents will continue if those involved in rape are not given exemplary punishment.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
They pointed out that rape incidents have been on the rise nationwide since 5 August, with alarming cases even in Magura.
The protesters called for swift legal action and justice.
Baton procession at DU demanding exemplary punishment for rapists, resignation of home adviser
They stressed imposing exemplary punishment on rapists, urging the interim government to take visible steps and publicly execute severe punishment.
The protesters believe that if even one rapist is publicly punished, it will deter others from committing such crimes in the future.
Nahid Hasan, co-coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination's (SAD) IU branch, said, "Imposing a standard punishment on rapists will not prevent future incidents. While it may sound harsh, we believe that wherever the rapist is found, creating a mob is necessary. Only then can we stop rape in Bangladesh."
He also announced solidarity with the 24-hour ultimatum issued by the students of Dhaka University for the punishment of rapists.
JU teachers, students hold protests against rape, violence against women
Students of Jahangirnagar University organised silent processions in the campus to protest against rape and violence against women.
Through symbolic protests using red cloth, they demanded the assurance of women's safety.
The silent procession began from the university's central Shahid Minar this afternoon. The students marched along various roads and concluded the event with a rally at the transport square.
Arifuzzaman Ujjal, a student from the 47th batch of Marketing, said, "We do not want to witness incidents of rape and violence against women in the new Bangladesh. The previous fascist government failed to prosecute any rape cases in last 15 years, fostering a culture of impunity, which led to an increase in such crimes."
He urged the interim government to ensure swift trials for rapists and take effective measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Besides, first-year students of the Fine Arts Department and the university's Teachers' Network organised a human chain and protest rally at 11:30am, demanding justice for the rapists.
During the protest, speakers called for exemplary punishment for those involved in rape incidents and criticised the government and administration for the rising number of such incidents.
They also demanded swift trials for cases of rape and similar crimes.
Around 1:30pm, teachers and students from the Journalism and Media Studies Department formed a human chain on the road next to the university's Shahid Minar.
At the event, Associate Professor Ujjwal Kumar Mandal of the Journalism and Media Studies Department said, "Women are not truly safe anywhere in the country, and even children are not spared. This ongoing crisis is a direct result of the lack of justice."
Anti-Rape Mancha formed at JU
Students have launched a new platform and committee named "Anti-Rape Mancha" to combat violence, rape, and the oppression of women nationwide.
The committee, formed with the university students, was officially announced at a press conference held at the university's Shahid Minar today.
Students hold torch procession in Brahmanbaria against rape, violence
Students in Brahmanbaria organised a torch procession and protest rally against child rape, violence against women, and rising criminal activities across the country.
The event took place this evening (March 9) under the banner of the "students-citizens of Brahmanbaria", with participation from students of various colleges and leaders of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD).
Around 7pm, the procession began in front of Brahmanbaria Government College, with participants chanting slogans against rape. The march moved through the main roads before concluding in front of the Brahmanbaria Press Club, where a protest rally was held.
At the event, the participants said rape has become alarmingly frequent due to the failure to ensure strict punishment for offenders.
The speakers demanded the immediate execution of the rapist involved in the Magura child rape case, stressing that without maximum punishment, such crimes will persist.
