Students from 30 colleges across the capital gathered at Shahbagh National Museum on Tuesday (March 11) to demand the maximum punishment for those involved in violence, sexual assault, and abuse against women.
Update: A violent clash occurred between the police and anti-rape protesters, near the Hotel Intercontinental. The incident took place when members of the “Bangladesh Platform Against Rape and Abuse” attempted to submit a memorandum to the Chief Advisor, Dr. Muhammad Yunus. According to reports, the protesters were on their way to deliver the memorandum when the altercation broke out with law enforcement officers. The situation escalated, with both sides engaged in a brief confrontation. Further details on the number of injuries or arrests have yet to be confirmed.
The students marched in separate groups, chanting slogans such as, “We want justice,” “Death penalty for rapists,” and “No place for rapists in our golden Bengal.” They also carried placards and continued the protest despite police barricades as they headed towards the Prime Minister’s Office.
The protest was initially planned as a blockade, but it was later called off due to concerns about public inconvenience during Ramadan. Instead, the students held their demonstration on the empty road next to Shahbagh Museum.
The protest included students from various colleges like Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, Birsreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College, and Dhaka Residential Model College, among others. Law enforcement was on high alert throughout the demonstration.
LND/BG
