‘Rapists cannot enjoy impunity’

Demonstrating students yesterday marched to the crime scene in the capital’s Kurmitola, demanding a speedy trial to ensure justice for the Dhaka University student who was raped on January 5.  

Over 100 protesters under the banner of “Student Community Against Rape and Sexual Violence”, before starting their procession, held a rally at the Raju Memorial Sculpture near Teachers-Students Center (TSC) on DU campus.

Speaking at the rally, the platform’s convener Shiblee Hasan said the country has been witnessing a massive infrastructural development but equity and social justice are yet to be established.

He further said such mass procession could play a vital role in raising awareness against rape and in ensuring a safe country for women.

“The accused must be given exemplary punishment so that no one can dare commit such barbaric crime against women in future,” he said.

He demanded completion of the trial within 90 days under speedy trial tribunal, beefing up security and bringing the entire area from Kurmitola bus stand to airport under CCTV surveillance.

In his speech, DU History department Professor Mesbah Kamal said rape incidents are on the rise as rapists manage to ensure impunity by taking advantage of legal loopholes. “The existing law was also not enacted properly earlier,” he said.

He further said rape and capitalism are interrelated as capitalism does not allow women to be “human beings”, turning them rather into “commodities”.

“So the fight should also be against capitalism,” he said.

Meanwhile, another group of DU students continued to protest at the base of Raju Sculpture, demanding highest punishment for the rapist.

On January 5, a student of the university was raped and tortured in the capital’s Kurmitola area.

Three days later, Rab arrested Majnu, a 30-year-old, from Shewra area in Dhaka amid a firestorm of protests and condemnations across the country.

Majnu was placed on a seven-day remand by a Dhaka court on January 9.