Students from Dhaka University in Bangladesh organized a protest on Friday to show solidarity with ongoing demonstrations in Kolkata, India, following the rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College. The protest, held under the banner “Awaaz Tolo Nari,” took place at the Raju Sculpture on the university campus, according to the Dhaka Tribune.
Demands for Justice and Accountability
Rahnuma Ahmed Niret, a student from the Department of Physics, criticized the uncooperative attitude of the medical college administration in Kolkata regarding the Moumita rape case. She demanded strict enforcement of the law and a prompt verdict. Anya Fahmin, a student from the Department of Anthropology, expressed full support for the movement in Kolkata and called for public trials of rape cases in Bangladesh, including the case of Sohagi Jahan Tonu in Comilla. Fahmin emphasized the need for transparency, particularly when the army is involved, and urged the government to ensure safety for women through student-led mass uprisings.
Call to End Impunity for Rape Cases
Lamisha Jahan from Jahangirnagar University highlighted the need to end the impunity often granted to perpetrators of rape, noting that victims’ names are frequently publicized while those of the guilty remain hidden. Anika Arefin Anu, a student from the Department of Finance, stressed the importance of student activism in forcing the government to prosecute all rape cases and ensure the safety of women in Bangladesh. The protest also included a march across the campus, with students carrying placards demanding justice and accountability.