A protest rally and candlelight vigil were held at the foot of Dhaka University's Raju Sculpture on Friday night under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The event was organized in solidarity with the protestors demanding justice and investigation into the rape and murder of Moumita in Kolkata, and to stand against all forms of discrimination and violence against women.
Nushrat Tabassum, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, emphasized the need to view individuals as either good or bad, rather than categorizing them by gender.
"We should recognize criminals as criminals, regardless of whether they are men or women," she said.
"We've become so accustomed to hearing about rape that it no longer shocks us as it should. This mindset towards women needs to change," she added.
Reflecting on Moumita's case, Nushrat pointed out that it mirrors society's attitudes towards women. "None of us are safe from rapists," she said.
Nushrat also questioned the enforcement of laws, saying: "There are laws, but who will enforce them? We don’t need new laws; we need justice. Justice must be ensured."
Ashrefa, a student from DU's International Relations department and another coordinator of the movement, shared her own experiences: "There have been times when I couldn’t walk safely on my own campus. Where is the safety for us? Women's rights must be upheld worldwide. Women deserve to be seen as human beings."
"We stand against a dark age," added another student, Hafsa.
"This isn't just about a single murder; it challenges our views on girls over the ages."
She also said: "We haven’t made society safe for girls. We call on everyone to work towards creating a safer and more just society."
Hafsa posed a poignant question: "Can we accept such a brutal murder like Moumita's? We don’t want any more girls to become victims like her."
Another student at the rally questioned: "If your sister were a victim of rape, would your protest still be so silent? We demand a thorough investigation and a fair trial."
During the protest, the students chanted slogans such as "From Tonu to Moumita, from Comilla to Kolkata," "Bury the rapists, girls take back the night," "Action to action, direct action," "Stand with Moumita," "We Want Justice," and "Break the black hands of rapists."