In protest against rape and sexual violence across the country and demanding the swiftest punishment for the culprits, students of Jagannath University (JNU) staged a demonstration and blocked the Tantibazar intersection in Old Dhaka.
On Sunday (March 9) at around 7 PM, students took out a protest march from the university’s sculpture square. Upon reaching Tantibazar, they blocked the road for about 20 minutes before withdrawing the blockade and returning to campus.
During the demonstration, the entire area echoed with protest chants, such as:
🔹 “Ekta ekta dhorshok dhor, dhore dhore jobai kor!” (Catch every rapist and slaughter them!)
🔹 “Amar boner kanna, ar na ar na!” (No more tears of our sisters!)
🔹 “Justice, justice, we want justice!”
🔹 “Dhorshoker shashti, mrityu mrityu!” (The only punishment for rapists is death!)
🔹 “Ami ke? Tumi ke? Achheya achheya!” (Who am I? Who are you? We are all together!)
Demand for Maximum Punishment for Rapists
Swarnah Roy, a student from the Department of Music, stated: “We demand the death penalty for rapists. Every citizen has the right to move freely and safely. The authorities must ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice as soon as possible.”
Tania Tanvi, a postgraduate student from the Department of Bangla, said: “We have seen time and again how rape cases are unnecessarily prolonged in the name of investigation. Even after criminals confess, justice remains delayed. If the situation does not change even after the 2024 mass uprising, it will be a disgrace for the nation.”
Call for Stronger Law Enforcement Actions
The protesting students emphasized that rape is not just a crime but a crime against humanity. The increasing incidents of sexual violence indicate a severe moral decline in society.
They urged law enforcement agencies to take a stricter stance and ensure swift justice.
“We demand a safe Bangladesh where women can walk freely without fear. It’s time for everyone to unite and take action,” the students stated.
