Demo staged demanding justice for Nusrat

A group of people staged a demonstration in Dhaka this morning demanding justice for Nusrat Jahan Rafi, a madrasa student in Feni who was burned to death for protesting sexual assault.

Gaurab-71, a platform of citizens, demonstrated demanding death penalty for the prime accused Siraj Ud Doula, principal of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa.

The demonstration was staged in front of the National Museum in the capital’s Shahbagh intersection around 11:00am.

“Exemplary punishment has to be ensured for the culprits involved in crimes like rape and sexual harassment of women in order to eliminate such heinous offences recurring in the society,” said Golam Kuddus, president of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, a cultural platform.

Professor Dr Muhammad Samad, pro-vice-chancellor (administration) of Dhaka University, demanded that everyone who is behind Nusrat’s murder has to be brought to the book no matter what their political identities or how powerful they are.

The protesters later brought out a procession from Shahbagh intersection to Central Shaheed Minar.

Nusrat Jahan Rafi, a student of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa, was set afire allegedly for refusing to withdraw a case filed against Siraj Ud Doula for sexually harassing her late last month. Siraj is now behind bars in connection with the incident.

She lost her battle for life at Dhaka Medical College Hospital at night on April 10.

Meanwhile, students of Magura Medical College staged a demonstration in front of Magura Press Club demanding justice for Nusrat.

Students from other educational institutions also joined the protest held around 11:00am today, a correspondent from Magura reports.

They demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits.