News Flash
DHAKA, March 09, 2025 (BSS) – University Teachers' Network, a platform for private and public university teachers, today staged demonstrations on Dhaka University campus protesting the on-going violence against women and demanding exemplary punishment of the culprits.
The university teachers urged the government to bring the culprits involved in violence and harassment against women to book and ensure exemplary punishment of those responsible.
A human chain and protest rally titled “Teachers and Students’ Protest Violence Against Women,” was brought out today around 11am at the foot of ‘Aparajeyo Bangla’ on the campus.
During this time, students from various departments of the university organised protest marches and human chains, chanting slogans against violence on women.
DU sociology department Professor Dr Samina Luthfa, said, “We demand accountability for those responsible for negligence in handling the harassment incident involving a female student at Dhaka University.”
“Secondly, we call for identifying and bringing to justice those who subjected the victim to further bullying, cyber-attacks, and threats of rape and murder,” she added.
She also said the mob that sought to glorify the dishonoring of women as an act of bravery must be properly investigated, and the perpetrators must face justice.
Chaired by Professor Dr. Gitiara Nasreen, it was also addressed by DU Professor Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam of development studies, former Professor of DU Mass Communication and Journalism Dr. Fahmidul Haq, English department Associate Professor Tasneem Siraj Mahboob, Prof. Dr. Selim Raihan of Economics department, poet and writer Ferdous Ara Rumi, and Safwan Adnan.
While reading out the written statement, Prof Samina also said, “We have seen how the administration previously attempted to lock down the entire campus under the pretext of student safety, only to be forced to withdraw the move in the face of public outcry.”
However, when a student is subjected to harassment by a university staff member, it remains unclear why the administration delays or hesitates to take action, she added.
Professor Kazi Maruful Islam said, “Violence against women is so brutal but we often focus only on demanding justice for specific incidents. However, the root causes—politics, discriminatory economics, and oppressive mentalities—are often ignored.”
He said, “Since July, we have been seeing the potential for a new political landscape, but it hasn't materialized. It is being overtaken by fanatic groups.”
Professor Gitiara Nasreen said, “The violence against women, whether in the family or public spaces, cannot be seen as sudden. Society normalizes this abuse. Violence is a way of asserting power.”
The most severe abuse happens within the home, and the abuser tries to silence the victim, she said, adding, “Women are blamed for stepping out into public spaces. This empowers the perpetrators.”
Salimullah Muslim Hall Provost Abdullah Al Mamun, Physics department Professor Kamrul Hasan Mamun, Professor Zubaida Nasreen of Anthropology department , Associate Professor Kajli Shehrin Islam and Assistant Professor Marzia Rahman of Mass Communication and Journalism department also attended the protest.
The protest was not limited to Dhaka University. Teachers and students from North South University, Independent University, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Chittagong University, and Jahangirnagar University also held simultaneous demonstrations as part of this national movement.
