Dhaka University Students Rally in Solidarity with Protests Over Kolkata Rape Incident

Dhaka University students protest in solidarity with demonstrations over Kolkata rape incident

Dhaka, August 2024 — Students at Dhaka University in Bangladesh held a powerful protest on Friday in solidarity with demonstrations in India following the rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The protest, organized under the banner "Awaaz Tolo Nari," took place at the Raju Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.

The protestors voiced their outrage over the incident and demanded swift justice for the victim. Rahnuma Ahmed Niret, a student from the Department of Physics, spoke passionately at the event, saying, "We are aware of the non-cooperative attitude of the medical college administration regarding the Moumita rape case in Upper Bengal. As women, we demand maximum legal assistance, strict law enforcement, and a prompt verdict."

Anya Fahmin, a student from the Department of Anthropology, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the global issue of violence against women. "Women worldwide face rape, and we fully support the ongoing movement for fair accountability in the R G Kar Hospital case in Kolkata. We also call for a public trial of the rape and murder case of Sohagi Jahan Tonu in Comilla. The public has a right to know, especially when the army is involved. The government must ensure a safe country for women through the mass uprising of student communities," she stated.

Lamisha Jahan, a student from Jahangirnagar University, highlighted the systemic issues surrounding sexual violence cases, noting that victims’ names are often publicized while perpetrators remain anonymous. "Sometimes these cases are covered up by the government or the ruling party. The days of complacency are over. We must raise our voices against all forms of humiliation towards women," she declared.

Anika Arefin Anu, a student from the Department of Finance, stressed the need for collective action. "We must build a safe country for women. The students played a crucial role in the mass uprising, and we must force our government to prosecute all rape cases and ensure women's safety," she urged.

The protest at Dhaka University coincided with widespread protests across India demanding justice for the 31-year-old trainee doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

Later that evening, around 10 p.m., students gathered at the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University, where teachers and prominent figures expressed their support for rape victims globally. The event included a march across the campus with placards bearing messages such as "Poshaker Bahanay Par Pabena Kono Pisach" and "Proshno Jokhon Sadhinotar, Bangla Jure Oyaddedar."

Anya Fahmin noted that many rape cases in Bangladesh go unreported, and even those that are filed rarely reach trial. She stressed that social media often brings these incidents to light, underscoring the lack of justice for victims. Fahmin reiterated the significance of the R G Kar incident in highlighting ongoing issues in Bangladesh and called for exemplary punishment for all perpetrators.

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