In photos: Police foils protesting students' march to Secretariat demanding home adviser's resignation
Outrage over recent crimes has sparked protests at multiple universities
Police thwarted a demonstration today (24 February) as students from various institutions attempted to march towards the Bangladesh Secretariat, demanding the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury over the deteriorating law-and-order situation.
The protest, organised by a group under the banner "Bangladesh Against Rape and Atrocities", was announced on Facebook, pressing firth five key demands, including the home adviser's resignation. Protesters cited the alarming rise in incidents of rape, mugging, and targeted killings as failure by law enforcement agencies.
Students from various universities, along with several college students, participated in the demonstration in the Dhaka University (DU) area.
At 2pm, the march set off from Central Shaheed Minar, moving through TSC towards the Secretariat. At around 2:40pm, as they reached the Education Building, police blocked their path with barricades. When protesters attempted to push forward, a scuffle broke out between students and law enforcement. Police pushed the protesters back, forcing them to retreat. Some students then staged a sit-in on the road, continuing to chant slogans.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Outrage over recent crimes has sparked protests at multiple universities.
Mishkat, a Disaster Management student at DU, expressed frustration over the recent spike in violence. "In recent times, especially after 5 August, incidents of violence and harassment against women have increased drastically in all forms. Security forces have failed to ensure our safety," she said.
"A child was raped while picking flowers to pay respect to Language Movement martyrs. We dreamt of a new Bangladesh where women's safety would be guaranteed, but the government has failed to deliver," she added.
Adrita Roy, a student of Jahangirnagar University and one of the key organisers, said, "We had high expectations after 5 August. We hoped the situation would improve, but it hasn't. Crime continues—rape, killings, muggings—yet neither law enforcement nor the army has taken decisive action. The home adviser only issues statements, but that changes nothing. We cannot allow this to continue."
She also referenced the July uprising, stating, "The same spirit that brought us to the streets then has brought us here again. Our demands include reforms to rape laws."
Tanvir, an Economics student at DU, said, "It's been six months, and the law-and-order situation remains intolerable."
Mahfuz, a student at ULAB, criticised the government's inaction, saying, "The situation is worsening by the day, and the Ministry of Home Affairs is doing nothing. At last night's emergency press briefing at 3am, we expected strong measures to tackle crime. Instead, the adviser's response was vague and unsatisfactory. If he cannot improve the situation, he must resign."
Toma, a DU student, echoed similar sentiments. "We want the new Bangladesh to be a safe place for women and girls. But the same culture of lawlessness persists. The home affairs adviser denies the severity of the situation and refuses to take accountability. This must stop. If he cannot handle the crisis, he should step down. However, it's not just about replacing him—if the culture of rape remains unchanged, the problem will continue."
Students began gathering at Central Shaheed Minar around 1pm, holding banners that read: "Rapists, there's no saving you", "Wake up, girls!", "Step down, Jahangir!", "Provide safety or resign!", "The culture of lawlessness is just the policy of rape!"
Following a robbery in Dhaka's Banasree area at 10:45pm on Sunday (23 February), DU students from dormitories staged a midnight protest, demanding the home adviser's immediate resignation.
Eden College students held a torch procession last night as part of a larger student protest demanding safety for women and children.
Meanwhile, East West University students staged a demonstration today (24 February), protesting the rise in theft, mugging, rape, and targeted killings. They also issued a 24-hour ultimatum for authorities to identify and prosecute the perpetrators. Students from various private universities joined in solidarity.
