Ziauddin Ayan, a student of Jahangirnagar University (JU), has begun a hunger strike demanding justice for the attackers involved in the July movement against students and the immediate activation of the JU Central Students' Union (Jucsu).
The hunger strike started in front of the university's new administrative building Sunday noon.
Ayan, a student of the Government and Politics department from the 50th batch (2020-21 session), was also a co-coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
Expressing his grievances, Ayan said: "During the July uprising, there were attacks on students participating in the movement at the university. However, the administration has yet to take any visible action to arrest or prosecute the attackers. These attackers roam the campus freely, attending classes and exams."
He added: "Although an investigation committee was formed last September with a 30-working-day deadline for submitting their report, it has been four months, and no report or legal preparations have been made. This inaction has led me to start this hunger strike with two demands."
He elaborated on his demands, saying: "By today (Sunday), the university administration must ensure the investigation committee submits its report and prepares to file a case. Additionally, the administration should form a committee to pursue legal action. I will end my strike only upon receiving written assurances regarding these steps."
Regarding his second demand, Ayan emphasized the immediate need for Jucsu elections, adding: "The seventh demand of the July Revolution's nine-point agenda was the activation of student unions in all universities. However, under the current interim government, the university administration has not taken any visible steps toward activating Jucsu. They have repeatedly held meetings and given assurances. I demand that, by today, the administration publishes a roadmap for Jucsu elections and forms an election commission."
Later, Professor Sohel Ahmed, pro-vice-chancellor of the university, met with the protester on behalf of the administration.
Addressing the first demand, he said: "We have learned from the investigation committee that the preliminary investigation will be submitted by January 7, and the final report by January 21."
Regarding the second demand, he said: "The vice-chancellor will announce a roadmap for the Jucsu elections tomorrow (Monday)."