Students of Rajshahi University yesterday staged a demonstration protesting against rising rape incidents across the country and demanding the highest punishment for rapists.

They also demanded that the government take necessary measures to prevent such crimes and ensure the overall safety of women and the general public.

The demonstration, organised by general students, began at 7:15pm from the university's Zoha Square.

The march moved through several roads before concluding at the same location, where a brief rally was held.

During the protest, students chanted slogans such as "Punishment for rapists—death, death,"

The demands included the execution of rapists and justice for rape victims.

Sadia Afrin, a student from the Department of Accounting and Information Systems, expressed her frustration, saying, "Even when we take a rickshaw, the drivers make inappropriate comments toward us. If we are not safe even on our own campus, how can we be safe on the streets?"

She slammed the interim government for its failure to ensure justice for sexual crimes against women.

Highlighting the unsafe environment for women in the country, Nadira Nisa, a student from the Department of Bangla, said even an 8-year-old child is not safe.

Mehedy Sajeeb, president of the RU Students' Rights Association, called for the highest punishment for rapists, urging the government to ensure the safety of female students and the general public.

He asserted that the government has lost the right to govern if it cannot protect its citizens.