Students at Dhaka University, under the banner of "Anti-Rape Mancha," have demanded the formation of a special tribunal for the Magura rape case, with an investigation report to be submitted within 7 days, judicial proceedings completed within one month, and the maximum punishment (death penalty) for the perpetrators while ensuring the safety of the victim’s family.
Other key demands include the establishment of special tribunals within three days for all rape cases, holding government advisers accountable for failures in ensuring women's safety, the creation of "Anti-Women and Child Abuse Cells" in all institutions and workplaces, and amending laws to more clearly define crimes such as rape, sexual harassment, and cyberbullying.
These demands were presented following a torch procession at around 8:30pm on Sunday.
At 10pm, Ashrefa Khatun, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Democratic Students' Council, and Umama Fatema, former spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, officially announced the demands.
The procession, which began at the Raju Memorial Sculpture of TSC, marched through VC Chattar, Hall para, and Shahbagh Square before returning to the Raju Memorial Sculpture.
Following the announcement of demands, Umama Fatema called for a "social resistance" against rape and oppression from the people of Bangladesh, on behalf of the students.
"Hand over criminals to the law and boycott them socially," she added.
This march was one of three different gatherings and processions held on Sunday, at Dhaka University, all demanding justice for rape victims across the country.
The "University Teachers' Network" platform and the newly formed anti-rape group "Anti-Rape Mancha" organized these.
Earlier on Sunday morning, the "University Teachers' Network" held a gathering at Dhaka University’s Aparajeyo Bangla, which saw participation from teachers and students of six universities nationwide. They protested against the recent surge in sexual violence across Bangladesh.
Speakers condemned ongoing violence against women, discussed its root causes, and criticized government failures.
DU Professor Tasneem Siraj Mahboob called for the dismissal of the home affairs adviser, instead of his resignation, emphasizing that she had demanded this months ago.
"Resignation is an honorable exit. He doesn't deserve that honor," she said.
Another DU professor, Samina Luthfa, expressed her disappointment with the interim government, which she believed was supposed to protect women and children but has failed to ensure their security.
During the gathering, students from the "Bangladesh Against Rape and Oppression" platform presented a nine-point set of demands, including the resignation of the home affairs adviser, justice for all rape cases in both hill regions and plains (with the formation of tribunals if necessary), fair justice for victims regardless of religion or ethnicity, and the appointment of only female judges for rape trials and investigations.
Other demands include establishing anti-harassment cells in all educational institutions as per High Court guidelines, incorporating gender sensitivity education in primary schools, simplifying police station processes, revisiting the witness protection laws to ensure the safety of witnesses, and the withdrawal of expulsion orders against female students at Chittagong University.
