Students Begin Mass Hunger Strike Demanding Campus Work Be Assigned to Army

The hunger strike began today, Sunday (January 12), at 8:30 AM in front of the university’s Shaheed Minar. Their other two demands are: the immediate initiation and completion of work on the steel-based buildings at Bani Bhaban and Dr. Habibur Rahman Hall in Old Dhaka, and ensuring housing allowances for 70% of students until permanent accommodation is arranged.

Jagannath University is one of Bangladesh’s most neglected universities. Despite its central location in Dhaka, students have long been deprived of basic educational facilities, safety, and housing. Following the July Movement, hopes for tangible progress were high, but the lack of visible action has forced students to resort to hunger strikes.

Mehedi Hasan, an English department student participating in the strike, said, "After years of protest, we were granted 200 acres for a second campus. However, no progress has been made on implementing this project. Our longstanding demand is for the project to be handed over to the army. Following a protest at the Secretariat in November last year, officials stated that the administration could hand over the project to the army if they wished. But two months have passed, and nothing has happened. We no longer want to hear excuses about bureaucratic delays. We will continue our hunger strike until our demands are met."

Ferdous Sheikh, a student of the Management Studies department (2020–21 session), added, "This government was established with the blood of the people. If we cannot resolve the second campus and housing crisis under this government, it will never be resolved. Until the project is handed over to the army, we, the 20,000 students of this university, will continue this movement."

Several student organizations and the Jagannath University Teachers' Association have expressed solidarity with the striking students, calling their demands justified.

Speaking on behalf of the JnU Students' Rights Council, President A.K.M. Abdur Rakib said, "We have supported this movement since its inception. However, even after two months, we are still hearing promises of letters and processes. We no longer wish to see delays. Unless the army, ministry officials, and university administration sign a formal agreement to hand over the project to the army, we will continue our hunger strike."

Md. Asadul Islam, president of JnU Chhatra Shibir, stated, "Our organization has consistently demanded the handover of the project to the army and temporary housing solutions. While some progress was promised, it has been frustratingly slow. Over two months have passed, and today, students are observing a hunger strike for their three-point demand. We extend our full support to these justified demands and have submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor urging immediate action."

Ashiqur Rahman Akash, General Secretary of Islami Chhatra Andolon at JnU, commented, "We have been told repeatedly that the project is being handed over to the army, but no visible progress has been made. The administration remains stuck in bureaucratic procedures. Moreover, no list of those involved in corruption within the campus project has been made, nor has action been taken against them. The interim Project Director (PD) has a history of corruption allegations. Until the Vice-Chancellor confirms in the presence of all stakeholders that the project is being handed over to the army, our hunger strike will continue."

In response to the demands, JnU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim stated, "We have sent a letter to the University Grants Commission (UGC) regarding handing over the project to the army. Work is ongoing, but we need some time. However, I cannot provide a specific timeline. If I say three days and it takes five, my words lose credibility. I can only assure you that progress is being made."

Regarding the appointment of the interim PD, the Vice-Chancellor said, "Amirul Islam has been appointed temporarily. If there are allegations against him, the investigation committee will address them, and we will take action. We are actively working to form a UGC investigation committee as soon as possible."