Protests against the alarming rise in violence against women have intensified across Dhaka, with multiple student groups and organizations converging on the Shahbag area to demand justice and accountability.
The protests, which began Tuesday morning, have evolved into broader calls for systemic change and official resignations following clashes with police.
"Bangladesh Against Rape and Abuse" Platform's Clash With Police
What began as a peaceful demonstration escalated when a march organized by the "Bangladesh Against Rape and Abuse" platform attempted to deliver a memorandum to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus but was blocked by police near the Intercontinental intersection, resulting in confrontations.
"Bangladesh Against Rape and Abuse" platform demanded police officer AC Mamun's 'removal' within 24 hours, investigation to be conducted and exemplary measures to be taken against involved police members.
They also announced a torch procession on Wednesday, 12th March, 7:30pm.
They made these announcements as a result of police blocking protesters near the Intercontinental intersection as they attempted to deliver a memorandum to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, leading to clashes between police and student protesters.
They marched today, Tuesday, demanding the Home Affairs Adviser's resignation and formation of special tribunals for rape cases.
The protest march began around 2:30pm from the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University. During the march, students chanted slogans demanding the resignation of the Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
According to the police, the protesters were told that their representatives could enter, but not everyone due to Section 144 being active in the Chief Adviser's residence area, but the protesters allegedly attacked one of the police officers.
Masud Alam, Deputy Police Commissioner of Ramna Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), stated that the protesters were stopped in front of Hotel Intercontinental and told that a small 'delegation' could submit a memorandum. At this point, the protesters tried to 'break' through the police barricade to enter the area, and one protester 'charged' at a police member.
On the other hand, the protesters alleged that the administration 'halted' their peaceful march.
Around 3:45pm, Adrita Roy, a student from Jahangirnagar University, told that the police attacked their 'pre-announced' mass procession.
She expressed frustration stating that they had demanded the resignation of this 'failed' Home Affairs Adviser. But instead of resigning, they were 'attacked' during the month of Ramadan, and women's clothes were 'torn'.
"We reject the Home Affairs Adviser with contempt. We will build a mass movement," she added.
Various counter-accusations of baton charges and other confrontations came from both the law enforcement agencies and the protesters. Several people from both sides were injured.
Later, in a briefing, the protesters announced that they would not leave the field without a mass movement and the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser.
Political and Cultural Organisation's Torch Procession Against Rape and Police Attack
The situation further escalated when various political and cultural organizations, including the Bangladesh Chhatra Union and other progressive groups, held a torch procession Tuesday evening from Shahbag to Shaheed Minar via Dhaka University's Raju Sculpture.
This torch procession held in protest against ongoing violence, rape, and murder of women across the country, demanded the resignation of the home Adviser. After the rally, the protesters, claiming themselves as 'the progressive society', called for a mass procession on the same issue.
The procession started at 7pm on Tuesday from Shahbagh in the capital. It went from Shahbagh to the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University and then to the Shaheed Minar, where they held a brief gathering.
The rally was attended by various political and cultural organizations including the Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Jubo Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Socialist Student Front Women's Forum, Udichi Artists Group, Shahbagh Against Oppression, Charan Cultural Center, Central Khelaghar, among others.
At the gathering at the Shaheed Minar, leaders from various organizations expressed their anger over the protests against rape and oppression, demanded justice, and criticized the government's role.
They also expressed anger over the clash between police and students during the anti-rape march on Tuesday.
They called on the government to transfer power through elections if it cannot fulfill its responsibilities. They announced a gathering on these issues on Saturday at 11am.
Luky Akhter, former president of Chhatra Union and a familiar face of Ganajagaran Mancha, said that the government has 'miserably' failed to protect the lives and properties of the people. The Home Adviser must take responsibility for his 'failure' and 'resign' immediately.
Announcing the next program, she said, a mass rally will be organized at Shahbagh at 11am on March 15 demanding an end to rape and law and order situation. She urged people to participate in the rally.
Mahir Shahriar Reza, the central president of the student union, said that they organized this torch procession against the 'continuous' murder and rape, and police 'attacking' an anti-rape march under the banner of 'Bangladesh Platform Against Rape and Oppression' earlier on Tuesday.
"The character of the interim government has become clear in this incident. This government is instigating mobs on one hand and beating students on the other," he added.
College Students Presenting 6 Point Demands Protesting Against Rape:
Students from 30 colleges in Dhaka held a sit-in protest at Shahbag demanding maximum punishment for perpetrators of violence, rape, and abuse against women, which has been occurring at an alarming rate across the country.
On Tuesday, from 11:30am, students arrived in small processions and gathered in front of the Shahbag National Museum. The students have announced that this program will continue until evening.
Most of the protesters were students from various schools and colleges in the capital. They are outraged by the recent incidents of violence against women throughout the country and are demanding swift justice.
The protesters explained that they had initially planned a "Shahbag Blockade" program to protest violence against women. However, considering the potential hardship for the public during Ramadan, they withdrew this plan.
Instead, they held a sit-in protest on the open road next to the National Museum at Shahbag until the afternoon.
Organizers said the program is being carried out by all colleges to protest the alarming increase in rape cases nationwide and to demand the maximum punishment of death penalty for the guilty.
The protesters demanded public punishment for rapists, zero-tolerance policy from administration, execution within 72 hours of rape cases following arrest within 24 hours based on medical evidence and testimony, prohibition of mediation in rape cases with only state-led justice permitted, and completion of all pending rape cases within 30 working days through special tribunals with Law and Home Ministries held accountable.
Students from numerous educational institutions are participating in today's program, including Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College, Birshreshtha Noor Mohammad Public College, Dhaka City College, Dhanmondi Ideal College, Dhaka Residential Model College, Notre Dame College, Dhaka College, Government Science College, and many others.
Law enforcement had taken a vigilant position surrounding the protesting students to handle any unpleasant incidents that might occur during the student program.