Protesters give 24-Hour ultimatum for Home Affairs Adviser to apologize and resign

Protesters from the ‍‍`Bangladesh Against Rape and Oppression‍‍` movement have demanded that the Home Affairs Adviser of Bangladesh apologize to the people and step down within the next 24 hours. 

If their demands are not met, they plan to organize a torch procession towards the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday evening. 

This announcement was made during a march held on the afternoon of Monday, February 24.

The protesters, including students and young activists, gathered outside the Education Building before marching toward TSC. 

Around 4 PM, one of the protest leaders, Adritya Roy, a student from Jahangirnagar University, made a clear statement. "We are all part of a mass uprising," Roy said. 

"The Home Affairs Adviser is sitting on our blood, but he has failed completely in his duties. We have no choice but to announce a strong protest program." She called for the resignation of the Interior Advisor, who she claimed had not taken necessary action to protect the people of the country.

Earlier, the protesters had marched from the Central Shaheed Minar, heading towards the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

They were demanding stronger measures to combat rape, violence against women, and other crimes like theft, robbery, and muggings, which have been increasing in the country. 

The protesters also called for immediate justice in all rape and oppression cases. 

However, their march was stopped by the police in front of the Education Building.

The protesters did not give up easily. After being blocked, they sat down and continued their protest on the road. 

Around 3:30 PM, they called on the Home Affairs Adviser to come and speak with them at the Education Building. 

However, no one came to address them. Undeterred, the protesters decided to announce their plans for the next day and returned from their march.

Among their nine key demands, the protesters are asking for the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser due to his failure to ensure public safety. 

They are also urging the government to take effective action to stop the ongoing violence against women and to guarantee justice for all victims. 

One of the major demands is the immediate prosecution of all cases of rape and oppression, regardless of location, including both urban and rural areas of Bangladesh.

Additionally, the protesters have requested changes to the law, especially in the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act of 2000. 

They want the definition of rape to include all forms of penetration, regardless of the genders of the perpetrator or the victim. 

The protesters are also calling for the removal of bureaucratic barriers that make it difficult to file rape cases at police stations. 

They want to see the implementation of the 2011 Witness Protection Act, ensuring full protection for victims and witnesses.

The protest leaders have also demanded that the authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the harassment and mistreatment of female students at Chittagong University. 

They are calling for punishment for those responsible for the incident. In addition, the protesters are requesting the creation of independent anti-sexual harassment cells in all educational institutions, including universities. 

These cells should be made up of both students and teachers, with mandatory female representation and the power to punish offenders if their guilt is proven.

As the protests continue, the demand for justice and safety for women and children in Bangladesh grows louder, with the protesters pledging to fight until their demands are met.