Students of Jagannath Hall at the University of Dhaka staged a silent march and protest rally on Sunday, demanding justice for the brutal killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, and the horrific burning death of seven-year-old Ayesha in Lakshmipur. The demonstrators also called for an end to the growing culture of mob violence, political vengeance, and crimes committed under the pretext of religious offence across Bangladesh.
The protest began at 3:00 pm, with students marching silently from Jagannath Hall through the Vice-Chancellor’s Square and Hall Para, before concluding with a brief rally in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture. Many participants covered their mouths with black cloth as a symbol of mourning and resistance. Placards carried powerful messages such as “Religion speaks of truth, not killing,” “Stop Mob Killings,” “Justice for Dipu,” and “Justice for Ayesha.”
During the march, students chanted slogans questioning the role of the authorities, including: “When Dipu was burned, where was the administration?” and “When Ayesha was burned alive, where was the state?” The rally echoed with demands for accountability, justice, and decisive state action against extremism.
| Incident | Location | Victim | Nature of Crime |
| Dipu Das killing | Bhaluka, Mymensingh | Dipu Chandra Das | Brutal mob killing |
| Ayesha killing | Lakshmipur | Seven-year-old Ayesha | Burned to death |
Addressing the gathering, Jagannath Hall Vice-President Pallab Barman said, “It is shameful that in the 21st century we are still witnessing such barbaric and inhuman acts. Ayesha was killed simply because her father was involved in politics. What crime did a seven-year-old child commit?” He warned that political revenge and false accusations of religious insult have become a dangerous social norm.
Barman demanded the maximum punishment for all those involved in Dipu Das’s murder and urged the state to take full responsibility for Dipu’s family. He also called for swift justice for Ayesha, stating that a nation cannot function when violence replaces the rule of law.
As part of their next programme, he encouraged all Dhaka University students to change their Facebook profile pictures to black and use the hashtags #JusticeForDipu and #JusticeForAyesha to raise national awareness.
Meanwhile, Jagannath Hall General Secretary Sudipto Pramanik expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity faced by ordinary citizens and minority communities. “Over the past 53 years, our history has been stained with repeated chapters of violence. Leaders tell us not to think of ourselves as minorities, yet when attacks continue and the state remains silent, what are we meant to believe?” he asked.
He concluded by warning that if the state fails to ensure protection and justice, communities will be left questioning how they can survive safely in their own country.
The protest ended peacefully, but students vowed to continue their movement until justice is delivered and mob violence is decisively stopped.