JnU students stage hunger strike over three-point demands

Fifteen students from Jagannath University (JnU) have sat on a mass hunger strike, demanding the fulfillment of three key demands, including the handover of the new campus project to the Army.

The students began their protest in front of the JnU Shahid Minar at 8:30am on Sunday, January 12, and vowed to continue their protest until their demands are addressed.

The three demands are includes....

1. The agreement to hand over the work of the second campus to the army must be signed immediately.

2. The construction of the steel-based building of Bani Bhaban and Dr. Habibur Rahman Hall in Old Dhaka must be started and completed quickly.

3. Until the housing system is complete, 70 percent of the students must be guaranteed housing allowance.

Earlier, the students, protesting for the second campus, announced the hunger strike on social media on Thursday night (January 9).

The students on strike, said, "We surrounded the ministry as part of our movement for the second campus and temporary accommodation at Jagannath University. A meeting was held with the advisor, the University Grants Commission, the administration, and the students. During the meeting, it was mentioned that if the university administration is willing, they can hand over the project to the army, with no objections from the ministry or the University Grants Commission."

"We gave the administration a reasonable amount of time, and they assured us that results would be provided within a set timeframe. After the meeting, we met with the administration multiple times to request updates. Despite our efforts, the administration only says, 'trust us.' Since there has been no further response, we have decided to go on a hunger strike to the death," they added.

"The strike will continue until our demands are met," they said.

When asked about the issue, Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim, Vice-Chancellor of JnU, said, "We are doing everything possible to address the students' demands. Their concerns are also our concerns, and we stand in solidarity with them."