New Delhi: Students at Dhaka University in Bangladesh staged a protest in solidarity with the ongoing demonstrations in India, sparked by the horrific rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The protest, held under the banner Awaaz Tolo Nari (Raise Your Voice, Women), took place on Friday at the iconic Raju Sculpture on the university campus, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.Students demand for justiceAddressing the gathering, Rahnuma Ahmed Niret, a physics student, voiced the frustration of many women over the non-cooperative attitude of the medical college administration in West Bengal regarding the case. As women, we demand that the administration offer full legal support, strictly enforce the law, and deliver justice swiftly, Niret stated.Anya Fahmin, a student from the anthropology department, echoed this sentiment, saying, Women globally face the threat of rape, and we stand with the movement seeking justice for the RG Kar Hospital case. We also demand a public trial in the Sohagi Jahan Tonu murder case in Comilla. The public deserves transparency, especially when the military is involved.#Bangladesh: Hundreds of students, mostly women took part in protest march in capital #Dhaka seeking justice for the #Kolkatas #RGKarHospital victimStudents gathered at the Dhaka University to lend solidarity with their counterparts in India as part of #ReclaimTheNight… pic.twitter.com/u1tD5Naybz— Indrajit Kundu | ইন্দ্রজিৎ (@iindrojit) August 17, 2024Call for changeLamisha Jahan, a student from Jahangirnagar University, highlighted a disturbing trend in handling rape cases: Victims names are often publicized while the perpetrators remain protected. Sometimes, these cases are buried by the government or political forces. But the era of silence is over. We must speak out against all forms of humiliation faced by women.Anika Arefin Anu, a finance student, emphasized the need for students to lead the charge in demanding justice. We must build a safer country for women. Students have historically played a pivotal role in uprisings, and its our responsibility to ensure the government prosecutes all rape cases and prioritizes womens safety, Anu asserted.Protests continue across DhakaThe rally was part of a broader movement, with students marching across the campus, holding placards that read, No Beast Shall Escape Under the Guise of Power and When Freedom is in Question, Stand United Across Bengal. The protest culminated in a late-night vigil, where students, teachers, and prominent figures voiced their support for rape victims globally.This protest was triggered by the August 9 rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata, an incident that has fueled widespread outrage across India, with citizens demanding justice. The Dhaka University students demonstration is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for womens safety and justice in both Bangladesh and India.
