Synopsis
On March 15 in Dhaka, eight student organizations canceled their planned protest against gender-based violence amid intimidation. They demanded the removal of Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury due to increasing lawlessness and called for justice for victims of violence and harassment.Key Takeaways
- Protests against gender-based violence are intensifying in Bangladesh.
- Student organizations demand the resignation of Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
- Threats led to the cancellation of a planned mass procession.
- Ongoing violence against women has sparked national outrage.
- Law enforcement presence increased around protest areas.
Dhaka, March 15 (NationPress) Eight student organizations - advocating for the dismissal of Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the Home Affairs Advisor in the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, due to the rampant lawlessness in the nation - canceled their planned march in Dhaka on Saturday following threats and intimidation, according to local media reports.
The student bodies had organized a "mass procession" for Saturday to highlight the urgent need for justice for victims of murders, rapes, and harassment.
However, they were forced to cancel the event amidst threats, opting instead for a brief rally.
"Every murder under this interim government must be answered for. Our struggle will intensify in the upcoming days," stated Mahir Shahriar Reza, President of the Bangladesh Students' Union, as reported by BDNews24.
Escalating tensions arose when an anti-Awami League activist called for transforming the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) office in Dhaka into the "headquarters of the revolutionary student-people's uprising" in response to the planned mass rally by the eight organizations.
Law enforcement agencies were later deployed around the CPB office due to the emerging threats.
Subsequently, CPB leaders convened in front of their office to deliver speeches condemning rape and violence against women.
"The horrific abuse of a child in Magura has tarnished our entire nation. Law and order have deteriorated so severely that the government can no longer manage it. Incidents are occurring one after the other," quoted CPB President Shah Alam by the Bangladeshi media.
Multiple political parties and student groups are criticizing the interim government for its failure to address gender-based violence, as protests against the murder of the Magura rape victim escalate.
Earlier this week, various student organizations conducted a torch procession at Dhaka University, demanding justice for the increasing incidents of rape nationwide, the removal of the Home Affairs Advisor, and justice for the eight-year-old rape and murder victim in Magura.
During the procession, protesters shouted slogans like "We must fight to survive," "Stop killings, rapes, and harassment, rise up, Bangladesh," and "Where there is murder and rape, there will be resistance," among others.
"Today an eight-year-old child has died after being raped. We will not forsake her memory. We will not cease until we secure the resignation of this Home Affairs Advisor. An Advisor who cannot ensure the safety of our people has no place in office," declared a student leader.
Previously, radical groups and banned terrorist organizations have held rallies in defiance of regulations, highlighting the panic that has enveloped the nation since the Yunus-led interim government took power in August 2024.
