On February 24, 2022, students and university personnel protesting the gang rape of a student were reportedly attacked, with at least 30 protesters injured.

Hundreds of students and a number of faculty from the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University gathered in response to news of a student being raped by a group of men the night before.

Hours after taking their protest to the busy Dhaka-Khulna highway, a group opposed to the protest — reported by The Daily Star and New Age Bangladesh as members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling party — arrived and began beating protesters with bats. Clashes broke out as protesters attempted to defend themselves. Police arrived on the scene roughly a half-hour later.

Scholars at Risk is concerned by violent attacks on student and faculty protesters as well as the rape of a university student. State authorities should take available actions in response to such incidents, including by investigating and holding perpetrators responsible. Violent attacks on student expression undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/gang-rape-student-bcl-attacks-protesters-2969791
https://www.newagebd.net/article/163719/six-arrested-as-protests-on
https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/607183/BSMRSTU-students-block-DhakaKhulna-highway-to-protest-gangrape
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/crime-and-law/6-arrested-for-gang-rape-of-gopalganj-university-student-rab