Bangladesh: Students at the renowned Dhaka University in Bangladesh united in protest, standing in solidarity with the ongoing demonstrations sparked by the tragic rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College in India. The protest, held under the banner "Awaaz Tolo Nari" (Raise Your Voice, Women), took place on Friday at the Raju Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.

Rahnuma Ahmed Niret, a physics student at the university, spoke at the event, calling for swift legal action. “We are aware of the indifferent stance taken by the medical college administration regarding the rape case in West Bengal. As women, we demand that the administration ensure maximum legal support, enforce the law strictly, and expedite justice for the victim,” she expressed.

Another participant, Anya Fahmin, an anthropology student, added, “Women around the world face the threat of rape, and we fully support the movement for justice in the RG Kar Hospital case. We also demand a public trial for the rape and murder case of Sohagi Jahan Tonu in Comilla, especially since the military’s involvement raises public concerns. The government must ensure a safe environment for women, powered by the student community’s demands for justice.”

Lamisha Jahan, from Jahangirnagar University, condemned the repeated instances of victim-blaming, stating, "Too often, the names of rape victims are made public, while the perpetrators' identities remain concealed. Sometimes, these cases are even suppressed by political powers. But we can no longer remain silent. We must stand up against the degradation of women in every form.”

Anika Arefin Anu, a finance student, emphasized, “Building a safe society for women is essential. Students have always played a pivotal role in societal change, and we must pressure our government to prosecute all rape cases and guarantee women’s safety.”

The protests were ignited after the brutal assault and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College on August 9, triggering nationwide outcry in India for justice.

In solidarity with India’s protests, students at Dhaka University also staged an "Occupy the Night" event, calling for thorough investigations and fair trials for rape cases in Bangladesh, echoing the broader movement for justice. Around 10 p.m. on Friday, students gathered at the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture, where teachers and notable figures joined them in showing support for rape survivors worldwide.

Earlier in the day, students marched through the university campus holding placards with messages like “No Monster Can Hide Behind Power” and “Independence Cannot Be Questioned Across Bengal,” signaling their frustration with the prevailing lack of justice.

Anya Fahmin noted that the majority of rape cases in Bangladesh go unreported, and even those that are filed rarely result in trials. She stressed that many incidents only gain attention due to social media, exposing the ongoing failure to deliver justice to victims.

Fahmin concluded by stating that the RG Kar incident in Kolkata has brought to light deep-seated issues across the region, underscoring the need for strict punishment for perpetrators and systemic change to protect women.

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