Protests continue in Bangladesh after brutal attack on 8-year-old girl
People across Bangladesh are protesting after the brutal assault of an eight-year-old girl in Magura.
Many are demanding justice and stronger laws to protect women and children from violence.
The attack happened on February 5, when the child was raped while staying at her sister’s house.
She was badly injured and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being moved to another hospital for better treatment.
Police have arrested four suspects since the incident occurred.
This has led to protests in different parts of the country. Students, teachers, and civil society groups have taken to the streets in anger.
At Dhaka University, protesters gathered at a well-known campus landmark before marching in protest. At Rajshahi University, hundreds of students skipped classes and blocked a major highway for nearly 30 minutes. In Kushtia, students from Islamic University also blocked a key road.
Many protesters are calling for the death penalty for those guilty of such crimes.
Save the Children, a global child rights group has condemned the attack. The organisation said violence against women and children is rising in Bangladesh. It reported that over 2,300 women and girls have faced violence this year, including more than 1,000 children.
Shumon Sengupta, the group’s country director in Bangladesh, said, “We demand justice for the victim of this horrific crime. Authorities must ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to trial.”
Meanwhile, a Bangladesh court has ordered all pictures of the child to be removed from social media. The High Court directed the country’s telecommunication authorities to take action.
A senior government official has also assured the public that those responsible will face justice. But many protesters say they want real change, not just promises.
They are demanding stricter laws and better enforcement to keep women and children safe.
