The ongoing movement by students of Jagannath University (JnU) has come to an end following the government's acceptance of their four-point demand.
Alongside this, the announcement to withdraw the “complete shutdown” program was also made.
At 8pm Friday, Professor Dr Rais Uddin, general secretary of the JnU Teachers' Association, declared the end of the protest on behalf of the university's united platform.
Dr Rais said: “All of our demands have been fulfilled. A decision has been made to increase the budget, and we have received assurances that this trend will continue in subsequent budgets. In meetings with the Ministry of Finance, University Grants Commission (UGC), and Ministry of Education, the government has agreed to our four-point demand. We are grateful to the government.”
He added: “We expect to see the reflection of our demands in the upcoming budget. A clear decision has been made regarding temporary housing for three of our demands. The work for a second campus has been included on a priority basis under fast-track projects, and the government has given a positive decision on increasing the budget."
Announcing the end of the protest, he said: “Since our demands have now been fulfilled, we are officially calling off our ongoing movement and lifting the complete shutdown.”
On Thursday, based on the consensus of all political and social student organizations at Jagannath University, the platform "JnU Unity" announced Friday’s program through Professor Dr Rais Uddin.
He had declared that students would continue their sit-in at Kakrail Mor until their demands were met.
A new program was also announced, stating that teachers and students would begin a mass hunger strike after Friday's Jummah prayer to press for their demands. Former and current students were urged to join.
Additionally, in protest of the police assault on teachers, students, and journalists during the movement, Dr Rais had declared May 14 to be observed as a Black Day at Jagannath University.
He had also announced an indefinite shutdown of the university until the demands were met.
Professor Rais said: “We came to demand our rights. The police carried out unprovoked attacks on us. This is lawlessness and injustice. We will not return home without achieving our demands.”
On Thursday morning, students began gathering at Kakrail Mor. Teachers, students, and university staff joined the protest in at least 30 buses from the university.
The demonstration disrupted traffic, although the students allowed the movement of ambulances and emergency vehicles.
During the protest, Education Adviser Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar met with the vice-chancellor and treasurer of the university, but the discussion yielded no results.
Earlier, at around 11:45am on Wednesday, JnU students began marching toward the residence of the chief adviser at Jamuna.
The march was initially obstructed at the Gulistan Mazar Gate. Students then faced further resistance at Matsya Bhaban but pushed forward.
As they reached Kakrail Mosque crossing, police suddenly began firing tear gas, sound grenades, and hot water cannons. Over a hundred people, including teachers, students, and journalists, were injured in the attack.
The four demands of the students were:
- Housing stipends for 70% of students starting in the 2025–26 fiscal year
- Approval of the university’s proposed full budget without cuts
- Ecnec approval and swift implementation of the second campus project
- Proper investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible for the police attack on students on Wednesday
