For the third consecutive day, students and teachers of Jagannath University (JnU) continued their sit-in protest on Friday (May 16), demanding the fulfillment of a three-point charter of demands.A visit to the Kakrail area of the capital, near the residence of the chief adviser, on Friday morning revealed ongoing demonstrations by the university’s teachers and more than a hundred students—consistent with the previous two days. Protesters were seen chanting slogans such as “Who are you, who am I? We are Jubians,” “Break the dark hand of discrimination,” and “In the flood of blood, injustice will drown.”Unlike previous days, the protesters did not occupy the Kakrail intersection directly. Instead, they gathered at the entrance road leading to the chief adviser’s residence. As a result, traffic at Kakrail remained normal.
Protesting student Rubel Rana stated, “For now, we’ve moved aside to avoid causing public inconvenience. However, more students are on their way. A decision will be made later on whether to block the Kakrail intersection.”
Earlier, on Tuesday (May 13), a delegation comprising teachers and students visited the University Grants Commission (UGC) to press their demands. However, after receiving no satisfactory response from the UGC, the students announced a “Long March to Jamuna” programme. The announcement was made by the platform ‘July Unity,’ which consists of various political, social, and cultural student organizations active at the university.
On Wednesday, as students marched past Matsya Bhaban and approached the Kakrail Mosque intersection, a clash broke out between police and the protesting teachers and students.
Several individuals were injured and required hospital treatment after police reportedly used tear gas and batons to disperse the march.
Following the clash, Dr Md Rois Uddin, Secretary of the Teachers’ Association, said, “We will continue our sit-in here until there is justice for the police attack on students and our demands are met.”
Jagannath University Proctor, Professor Dr Tajammul Haque, stated, “Police have attacked our teachers and students. Even my assistant proctor was assaulted. The police behaved inhumanely toward students participating in a just movement. We will not leave until justice is served.”
The Three Demands of the Protesters Are:
1. Provide housing scholarships for 70% of Jagannath University students starting from the 2025–26 fiscal year, until permanent accommodation is ensured.
2. Approve the proposed full budget for Jagannath University for the 2025–26 fiscal year without any cuts.
3. Approve and implement the establishment of Jagannath University’s second campus in the upcoming ECNEC meeting under the priority project category.