Teachers and students of Jagannath University (JnU) continued their sit-in for the second day on Thursday, demanding the fulfilment of their three-point charter.
They have vowed to continue their peaceful demonstration until their demands are met.
From Thursday morning, protesters were seen still occupying the street in front of the Kakrail mosque. Many students also spent the night on the road as part of their ongoing movement.
Vehicular movement through the Kakrail intersection remained suspended due to the protest, leading to a heavy traffic jam in the area. Meanwhile, police were seen on high alert.
“We are tired of facing discrimination,” said one protesting student. “No one can move us from here unless our demands are fulfilled.”
Sizan, a student of the Mathematics Department from the 2022–23 academic year, said: “JnU has always been a victim of discrimination. But those days are gone. If our demands are not accepted, we will not move. Our numbers will only grow.”
Another student, Sajedur, added: “We have been here since Wednesday. I spent the night on this road. If I have to spend tonight here too, so be it. We will not leave the street until our demands are met.”
Teachers have also begun joining the demonstration. They too announced that they would remain on the street until the demands were fulfilled.
Professor Dr Rais Uddin, general secretary of the university’s teachers’ association, said: “The government has yet to express any regret for Wednesday’s attack on the students. Let it be clear—we will not leave the street until our children’s demands are met. We are with them.” He called on the authorities to accept the students’ just demands without delay.
On Wednesday at 11am, teachers and students had launched a long march towards the residence of the chief adviser, placing their three-point demand. As the march passed through Gulistan and Matshya Bhaban and approached the front of the Kakrail mosque at 12:40pm, police fired tear gas and sound grenades at the demonstrators.
Hot water was also sprayed to disperse the students. When they scattered, police carried out baton charges. Over 100 people, including teachers, students, and journalists, were injured.
Later at night, adviser Mahfuj arrived to deliver a briefing. However, students expressed dissatisfaction with his remarks. During the speech, they started chanting “fraud, fraud” slogans directed at Mahfuj. At one point, a protester threw a bottle at him, prompting the adviser to abruptly end the briefing and leave in anger.
Frustrated with Mahfuj’s comments, students at JnU decided to continue their movement and have been holding position in front of the Kakrail mosque.
The three-point demand of the protesters:
- From the 2025–26 fiscal year, 70% of JnU students must receive a housing stipend until a permanent housing solution is ensured.
- The proposed full budget for JnU for the 2025–26 fiscal year must be approved without any cuts.
- The construction of JnU’s second campus must be approved at the next Ecnec meeting and implemented as a priority project.