DU students from three universities vacate dorms at midnight to protest against rape incidents

DU Students Issue 24-Hour Ultimatum for Capital Punishment of Rapists

Protesting recent rape incidents, Dhaka University students staged a two-hour sit-in at midnight on Saturday before the Raju Memorial Sculpture. After announcing a 24-hour ultimatum demanding capital punishment for rapists, they returned to their respective dormitories.

Around 2:00 am, Umama Fatema, spokesperson of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, declared that the interim government must ensure justice for rape victims within the next 24 hours. If the demand remains unmet, she insisted that the home affairs adviser must resign.

To coordinate nationwide protests against sexual violence, students have launched a Facebook group named "Anti-Rape Mancha." Anika Tahsina, a student activist, wrote in the group, “From today, the Raju sculpture stands as the ‘Anti-Rape Mancha’—a powerful voice against rape and violence against women. We refuse to remain silent any longer.”

Earlier, students from Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall initiated a protest march at midnight, joined by students from Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall. The march proceeded toward the Raju sculpture, where demonstrators from other residential halls gathered, chanting slogans demanding the capital punishment of rapists and calling for their social boycott.

The students stressed the need for a fair and speedy investigation into recent rape cases, particularly demanding justice for an eight-year-old rape victim in Magura.

At 7:00 pm, students of Ruqayyah Hall organized a torch procession, marching through VC Chattar before returning to their dormitory. Later, around 8:00 pm, the Bangladesh Democratic Students' Council held a demonstration in front of the Raju sculpture.

Protests at Jahangirnagar and Rajshahi Universities

Students at Rajshahi University and Jahangirnagar University also staged protests, demanding justice for rape victims and capital punishment for the perpetrators.

At Rajshahi University, students gathered at Shamsuzzoha Square around 8:45 pm and held a protest march. They chanted slogans such as “Why was my sister raped? We demand answers from the government.”

During a brief rally, Mehedi Sajib, former coordinator of the Rajshahi University Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, stated, “Our mothers and sisters are being subjected to violence in an attempt to destabilize the nation. If the interim government of the new Bangladesh cannot ensure public safety, it has lost its right to govern.”

At Jahangirnagar University, students began protesting around 1:45 am, chanting slogans such as “In 2024’s Bangladesh, there is no place for rapists.”