DU students demand public execution of rapists in protest march

Students from Dhaka University’s Rokeya Hall staged a torchlight procession and protest on Saturday (March 8), demanding public execution of rapists and condemning the deteriorating law and order situation in the country. 

The demonstration began at 7:30 PM in front of Rokeya Hall and circled the Vice-Chancellor’s premises before concluding with a brief rally.

During the protest, the students expressed their frustration over the rising incidents of rape and the lack of justice for victims. They highlighted that no one, from children to elderly women, is safe from sexual predators. “We see rapists being arrested, but we never know what happens to them afterward. Do they face the death penalty? We don’t see justice being served. Often, rapists get bail and roam freely,” said one protester.

The students specifically referenced the recent case of an eight-year-old girl, Ashiya, who was brutally raped in Magura. They demanded public execution for the three men and one woman involved in the crime. “We are tired of seeing the ‘arrest-release’ drama. We want public execution for the culprits. We won’t rest until rapists are hanged publicly,” the protesters chanted.

The protesters also criticized the government for failing to ensure the safety of women and children, calling for stricter enforcement of laws and immediate action against perpetrators. They vowed to continue their movement until their demands for justice and public execution of rapists are met.