JnU Correspondent

Jagannath University students held a protest march demanding immediate action to end murder, rape, abduction, robbery, and mob terror, and to ensure security for all citizens across the country at 1:00 pm on Wednesday.

The protest commenced with the rendition of the national anthem, and the students marched around the entire campus before concluding their route at Bhaskar Chhatra in Shankhari Bazar.

During the march, students voiced their dissent through songs and poems, chanting lines such as “Muktir Mondiro Sopan Tale” (“Even the temple of freedom lies under oppression”), “Karar oi louho kopat” (“That iron gate of oppression”), “Aguner Porosmoni” (“The lightning of fire”), and “Abar tora manush ho” (“Once again, be human”). They also chanted powerful slogans including: • “Break the abuser’s dark hand, shatter him to pieces” • “We demand struggle, we want to fight for survival” • “Why was my sister raped? We demand an answer from Yunus Sarkar” • “Let us live with dignity, or remove the regime altogether”

Students pointed out that since the period following July 24, the interim government has failed to secure women’s safety. “Why must women still be forced to hold placards? We constantly witness rape, abduction, and various forms of lawlessness. This is a failure of the government to ensure basic security for its people,” one protester remarked. He further added that ensuring the safety of all citizens—both women and men—is the government’s fundamental duty.

Ivan Tahsiv, a student from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, stated, “This government has failed to provide basic safety. Whether it’s day or night, I never feel secure walking on the streets, and social media is flooded with reports of continuous rape and abduction cases.”

From the Department of Law, Shamsul Alam Maruf commented, “A Home Ministry advisor dismissed these incidents as minor and inevitable, yet such occurrences have led to significant loss of life and disrupted the daily lives of many. The people are suffering under this prevailing insecurity.”

Samira Mau from the Department of Film and Television expressed her concern over the country’s current situation: “Studying at university, attending tuition, and returning home have all become acts filled with fear. Millions of women are effectively confined to their homes, yet the administration continues to fail in ensuring our safety. We demand the guarantee of a life where we can live without fear.”

Approximately 150 students participated in the march, unified in their call for comprehensive security for all citizens.