The absentee funeral for the eight-year-old Magura rape victim was held at Dhaka University.
It was held at the VC Chattar at 7:30am on Thursday, organized by the Anti-Rape Mancha.
Following the funeral, a protest rally marched to the Raju Sculpture, where female college and university students delivered speeches condemning the incident.
In their speeches, protesters urged the public to stand in solidarity with the Anti-Rape Mancha’s five-point demand and support the platform in pressuring the government to expedite justice for rape victims.
Many protesters emphasized that the government should refrain from making populist decisions and instead focus on reforming laws related to women and children to ensure a permanent solution.
They also called for clarifying the legal definitions of rape, arguing that the current definitions are ambiguous.
Additionally, protesters asserted that if the home adviser fails to ensure justice for rape victims and improve women's security, he must step down from his position.
A student from Manarat University said: "If the home affairs adviser cannot fulfill his responsibilities, he should resign. Otherwise, just as we removed Hasina from power, the same will happen to you."
"Hand over the rapists to us. The students will ensure that in the next 10-20 years, there will be no rape in Bangladesh," she added.
Ashrefa Khatun, the spokesperson of the central committee of BDSC said: "We have to stand at Raju Sculpture again and again. Our protests are not making a difference. The burden of the rape victim fight has fallen on us, and it is becoming difficult to bear.”
Maisha Malia Sneha, a college student, said: "How many times do we have to ask for justice to see results? When will our sisters be able to live safely? Special cells must be activated in every institution."
"Why do we still have to take to the streets for justice in 2025? We want a permanent solution," she further added.
Umama Fatema said: "Women face discrimination every day. But why do we get labeled just for speaking about it?"
"We will not limit ourselves to Asiya’s case. Many cases never make it to the news. The judiciary and legal system must work efficiently so that justice is served quickly," she further added.
"We demand a special tribunal for rape cases," she said.
Afia Ibnat Suchi from Dhaka University said: "There are only two forensic labs in Bangladesh, both in Dhaka, to examine rape evidence. How can justice be served quickly under such conditions?"
"As a result, victimized families face severe harassment. Every family has to endure humiliation and struggle. The justice process must not be a path of suffering," she further added.
"Instead of populism, laws must be properly reformed. There must be clear definitions of bullying and rape," she said.
Another Dhaka University student, Nitika Nawar, said: "A permanent solution to rape requires a strong social movement. Proper legal reforms are needed. Victims should not face harassment in the justice process."
"The government must take stricter action against cyberbullying. Rather than following populism, we need long-term solutions," she further added.
"Stand in solidarity with the anti-rape movement. Help implement our five demands," she added.
