Teachers and students of Jagannath University (JnU) have threatened to launch a “long march to Jamuna” if the University Grants Commission (UGC) fails to increase the institution’s budget.
They made the announcement during a rally at the university’s Shanto Chattar around noon on Monday.
The declaration came with the consensus of teachers and students from various departments, as well as representatives from Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, active student organizations, and cultural groups.
Mahthab Hossain Limon, general secretary of the university’s journalists’ association, announced the program on their behalf.
He said: “Tomorrow (Tuesday), our delegation will submit a memorandum to the UGC and the Ministry of Education. If our demands are not accepted, we will stage a Jamuna encirclement program on Wednesday.”
Raihan Hasan Rabbi, general secretary of the JnU Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, said: “We will continue our movement until the housing allowance and other logical demands are fulfilled.”
Asadul Islam, president of the JnU unit of Chhatra Shibir, said: “Today, all teachers and students of JnU are united. If our demands are ignored, the government will have to face a serious situation.”
Mehedi Hasan Himel, convener of JnU Chhatra Dal, said: “We have stood by students’ rightful demands in the past, and we will continue to do so. If needed, tougher programs will be announced.”
Joining the rally, Associate Professor Nasir Uddin of the English Department said: “Since its inception, Jagannath University has been a victim of discrimination. While Dhaka University receives a Tk900 crore budget, JnU gets only Tk150 crore.”
He added: “The UGC always argues that the budget cannot be increased by more than 10%. We want this inequality to end.”
Prof Dr Rais Uddin, general secretary of the university teachers’ association and chairman of the Islamic Studies department, said: “Jagannath University is a bearer of history and tradition. In the past, there have been repeated attempts to suppress students’ movements for their rights by labelling them.”
He added: “While other universities have halls and housing facilities, JnU is still deprived. If the demands are not met, the teachers’ association will also announce a complete shutdown.”
Prof Dr Sabina Sharmin, treasurer of the university, said: “We have always stood by the students’ logical demands. The process of handing over the second campus to the army was also made successful due to the student movement.”
Alongside teachers and students from various departments, leaders of cultural, journalistic, and student organizations also took part in the rally.
