Mass Gathering of Former and Current Jagannath University Students Floods Kakrail

Bashir Shahriar, JnU Correspondent :Jagannath University (JnU) students have entered the third day of their sit-in protest at Kakrail intersection, demanding resolution of the housing crisis among four key demands. Starting Friday afternoon, they initiated a mass hunger strike alongside their demonstration.

The scheduled JnU mass gathering and hunger strike drew a massive turnout, filling Kakrail intersection to capacity. Former students from various batches were seen arriving in processions to join the protest. After 10 AM, both teachers and students began arriving at the site using university transport.

Both current and former students addressed the gathering. Shahin Ahmed Khan, former president of JnU Chhatra Shibir, stated:
"The demand for student dormitories is a fundamental issue for Jagannath University. I’ve been imprisoned 13 times for this cause. We’re ready to face any consequence, even the gallows, but our demands must be met. We haven’t fallen silent. If these demands aren’t fulfilled, the former students will stand shoulder to shoulder with the current ones to show how to win this fight."

Former student and advocate Md. Rony Miah commented:
"A student unintentionally threw a bottle that accidentally struck an advisor. For this, the police attacked over a thousand students—this was deemed justified. Apparently, a 15-gram bottle caused more distress than tear gas and baton charges on students and teachers."

He further criticized the lack of response from key advisors (Education, Finance, Home), calling it negligence and apathy:
"Stop nurturing fascist ideologies of the past and recognize the legitimate, heartfelt demands of the students."

Another former student, Shahidul Islam Bhuiyan, added:
"This is not just a demand of current students—it’s ours too. Yet the government hasn’t issued any statement. Even after assaulting teachers, they remain unmoved. This is a grave injustice. Leaders of the student uprising are siding with the government instead of standing with the students. Jagannath students will not return home without achieving their demands."

The four-point charter of demands includes:

1. Scholarships for 70% of JnU students starting from the 2025–26 fiscal year until a proper housing system is established.
2. Full approval of the proposed 2025–26 budget without any cuts.
3. Immediate approval of the university’s second campus in the next ECNEC meeting and its implementation as a priority project.
4. Legal action against those responsible for the attack on teachers and students.