Staff Reporter:
Students and teachers of of Jagannath University (JnU) on Thursday announced all university activities will remain shut until their three-point demand is met.
At the same time, the students kept the Kakrail intersection blocked for the second consecutive day.
Professor Dr Rais Uddin, General Secretary of the Teachers’ Association, has declared an announcement stating, We will not return home without achieving our demands until then. No academic or examination activities will take place at the university.”
During a discussions with protesting students at their ongoing demonstration in Kakrail, he made this announcement.
Professor Rais Uddin said, We haven’t come here to conspire or speak against anyone. We are here to demand our legitimate rights. We will not return home without achieving our goals.”
He further warned, “It won’t be good if any attempt is made to disperse us from here. No one will be allowed to hurt my students in front of my eyes.”
On Thursday, from the morning, students started to gather at the spot to participate in the program. University buses were also seen transporting students to the protest site. The protesting students have declared that they will not leave until their demands are met.
Jannat Sarkar, a postgraduate student of the university, said, “The way police attacked our fellow students yesterday was absolutely unacceptable. We are taking part in the sit-in and will continue until our demands are fulfilled.”
The demonstration began around 11:45 AM on Wednesday when students and teachers of Jagannath University started a long march towards the residence of the Chief Adviser in Jamuna. They were intercepted by police twice.
After breaking through the second barricade, police used tear gas, water cannons, batons, and sound grenades to disperse the crowd.Despite the dispersal, students attempted to regroup and proceed further. In response, police once again used force to break up the protest.
Around 10:00 PM, Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam arrived at the scene to brief the protesters. However, during the interaction, a student threw a bottle at him, prompting him to leave without engaging in any dialogue.
Later, Mahfuz Alam told the media, “Even last night, I was ready for a meeting. A dialogue between the chief advisor and the Jagannath University administration is likely to take place soon. Multiple ministries are involved. We are committed to resolving the matter swiftly. Those who attacked me were not part of the July Movement. Their actions dishonored me, their teachers, and their university.”
The students have placed three key demands: Introduction of a housing allowance for 70% of JnU students until the accommodation crisis is resolved, starting from the 2025–26 fiscal year; unconditional approval of the proposed full budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year; and immediate approval and prioritized implementation of the university’s second campus project in the upcoming ECNEC meeting.
