Students of Jagannath University (JnU) have announced plans to march to the Ministry of Education to submit a memorandum on Monday outlining a three-point demand aimed at addressing several key issues related to the university’s development.
The demands are: the transfer of the work related to the university’s second campus to the army, the inclusion of JnU in a pilot project for scholarships for students who did not secure seats in UGC residential halls, and the cancellation of "unethical" agreements made during the previous government’s tenure.
Tausib Mahmud Sohan, a physics student and spokesperson for the movement, confirmed the plans and stressed the urgency of their cause.
“We believe the UGC's recent scholarship project highlights ongoing discrimination against JnU students. Our march and memorandum to the Ministry of Education on Monday aim to highlight these issues. We hope our demands will be addressed," Sohan said.
He further said that if their demands are not met, the students would be forced to take stronger actions, including surrounding the ministry and suspending classes and examinations.
Ashraf Arfin, a student from the Department of Islamic History and Culture, echoed these sentiments, saying: “We will not back down in our fight for our rights. A university cannot function without its students. We have land and funding, but we need a new campus and proper student halls. We are demanding the ministry hand over the work of the second campus to the army.”
The students' three primary demands include the appointment of a new project director. They are calling for the removal of the project director, whom they have accused of corruption.
They are demanding the appointment of an efficient army officer to lead the second campus project within seven days.
Additionally, they are urging the Ministry of Education to officially announce the transfer of the second campus development work to the army and provide a clear outline for the process of transfer.
Finally, the students are calling for immediate action to acquire the remaining 11 acres of land for the second campus and the cancellation of all unethical agreements made during the previous regime, particularly on the old campus.
