Teachers, students and employees of Jahangirnagar University (JU) organised a human chain, rallies and a protest march on Monday to denounce Israeli aggression in Palestine and express solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Students began gathering at the university’s central Shaheed Minar at around 5pm.
Afterwards, a protest march was held that circled the university’s main roads and returned to the Shaheed Minar, where a brief rally concluded the event.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Kamrul Ahsan, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Sohel Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, along with the treasurer, proctor, faculty members from various departments, staff and general students were present at the rally.
During the protest, students chanted various slogans, including “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” “Hamas fighters, rise, rise for peace,” “Inqilab, Inqilab, Zindabad,” and “Revolution, revolution, long live the revolution.”
VC Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan said: “As human beings, we must do what we can for the cause of humanity. I am just an ordinary person working in an institution and I may not be able to do much there, but I want to draw the attention of those famous people who scream for human rights."
He added: "If the blood of Muslims or people of other religions does not touch your hearts, then you are not actually human rights activists. Your activism is a strategy for controlling the world and sustaining capitalism.”
He further said: “No economy or politics supports the genocide that has occurred in Gaza. The democracy you claim to uphold is being used to kill people in Gaza and murder children. The blood of these children in Gaza contradicts your self-interest. Please be human first, and then rule the world."
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Sohel Ahmed said: “Those who identify themselves as the bearers and upholders of humanity are the ones carrying out the indiscriminate slaughter in Gaza. After World War II, the Palestinians, who are Muslims, gave refuge to the Israelis, standing by them out of humanity. Yet today, Israel continues to commit atrocities one after another.”
“Yesterday, I saw a heartbreaking image where a child’s brain was severed from their body. We are forced to witness such tragic scenes every day. Nothing could be more painful than this. I urge the leaders of the Arab world to awaken your conscience,” he further added.
Additionally, the speakers at the rally strongly condemned the ongoing brutal attacks in Gaza and called for support for Palestine’s independence.
They also urged the international community to play a more active role in addressing the situation.
Meanwhile, in protest against the brutal genocide and the resulting humanitarian crisis caused by Israeli atrocity forces in Gaza, the administration of Jahangirnagar University (JU) observed a work stoppage at all university offices from 10am to 12pm on Monday.
It has also been announced, in a notice signed by the Acting Registrar of the university, Dr ABM Azizur Rahman, that all academic activities of the university will be suspended on Tuesday.
