Dhaka, Feb 27 (NationPress) The Central Students' Union of Dhaka University (DUCSU) organized a protest on Friday, calling for justice for victims of rape and violence throughout Bangladesh, notably in the Narsingdi district, warning that significant resistance would ensue if justice is not served.

The protest began in the afternoon at the central mosque of Dhaka University and concluded at the iconic Raju Sculpture within the campus, as reported by local media.

During the march, DUCSU representatives shouted slogans such as “Empower women, or resign from your positions”; “Guarantee women’s safety, or step down”; “Tarique Rahman, put an end to rape”; “In my beloved Bengal, rapists are not welcome”; “The nation is soaked in blood, while the Prime Minister remains indifferent”; and “From Asiya to Nandini, justice remains elusive,” among others.

General Secretary of DUCSU, S M Farhad, issued a stern warning to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, stating that decisive action against extortionists and rapists is necessary for him to retain his power. Farhad emphasized that if Rahman fails to act, and if leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) continue to protect offenders, the protests could expand beyond the university grounds, as highlighted by the 'Dhaka Tribune.'

In addressing the BNP, Farhad asserted that if no steps are taken, students and the public across campuses will unite to confront rape syndicates.

Last month, local media, referencing police data, reported a concerning increase in crime rates in 2025 across Bangladesh, with women and children predominantly suffering from the violence, alongside notable incidents of murder, banditry, and mob violence.

Analysts attribute the surge in crime to the challenges of law and order following the transition to the interim government led by former Muhammad Yunus after the ousting of the Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina.

According to police statistics cited by the Bengali daily 'Bonik Barta', a total of 181,737 cases, including rescue-related incidents, were recorded in 2025, many of which pertained to events from 2024.

The data revealed that the majority of cases involved violence against women and children.

In the previous year, police documented 21,936 incidents of violence against women and children across Bangladesh, along with 12,740 theft cases and 3,785 murders.

Cases of banditry were also significant, with police records indicating that 1,935 banditry incidents were registered throughout the year.

Bangladesh has been grappling with escalating violence and a drastic law and order crisis during the 18-month period of the Yunus-led interim government.