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Published : 16 May 2025, 02:06 PM
Students of Jagannath University have decided to continue their sit-in protest despite ending their hunger strike, saying they will not leave until their demands are met in writing.
They announced the decision on Friday, insisting that a clear written declaration must come before they withdraw from their ongoing movement.
The demands included housing allowances, a budget increase, a second campus, and an investigation into a recent police attack on students and punishment of those responsible.
SMA Faiz, chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), visited the protest site at 7pm and said the interim government had accepted the students’ demands.
He also informed the demonstrators that a decision has been made to increase the university’s operational budget in line with their demands.
Faiz said temporary residential halls would be built soon to resolve the accommodation crisis.
Addressing the students, he said: “UGC members, the vice chancellor, the treasurer and representatives of the [Jagannath University Teachers’ Association] have worked tirelessly all day.
“Our only aim has been to return our beloved students from the streets to their study desks.”
Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Md Rezaul Karim said, “A decision has been made to meet the first demand through a budget increase.
“To address the housing issue, construction of temporary halls will begin shortly. Work is also under way to establish a second campus as quickly as possible.”
Following these “promises”, students agreed to break their hunger strike but confirmed their sit-in would continue.
They also said they would hold a press conference on Friday night to present their stance.
Around 11:30am, students began the fast-unto-death demonstration at the Kakrail Mosque intersection, drawing participation from current and former students as well as teachers -- many of them arriving in buses in the morning of the third day of protests.
As a result, traffic was halted on the stretch of road from Matsya Bhaban to Kakrail intersection.
The demands are:
- Housing allowances for 70 percent of students until accommodation is ensured.
- Full approval of the proposed budget for Jagannath University without any cuts.
- Approval of the university's second campus project in the next ECNEC meeting and its implementation on a priority basis.
- An independent investigation into the police attack on students, and punishment for those responsible.
WHAT HAPPENED SO FAR?
On Wednesday, the JnU teachers and students launched the “March to Jamuna” procession from the campus with the demands. When the procession approached Gulistan Golap Shah
Mazar, police intervened, and a scuffle ensued.
Later, the university authorities held a meeting with police. When the discussion was not fruitful, the officials of the university administration went to Jamuna.
Later that night, Information Advisor Mahfuj Alam had arrived at the Karail intersection to “convince and send back” the protesting students.
While he was addressing the protesters, a plastic bottle, however, flew in from the crowd and hit Mahfuj in the head, prompting him to say: "You have justified the police's position through your misdeeds."
Mahfuj did not give any assurance regarding the demands pressed by the Jagannath University students and teachers amid the embarrassing incident. The government, however, is “considering” their demands, he said.
On Thursday, Rais went live on Facebook and called on students and teachers to join the protest. In response, at least 48 regular and double-decker buses arrived at the scene throughout the day carrying both teachers and students.
Shortly before midnight, Rais announced the latest phase of the movement following a day-long “complete shutdown”.
