JnU Correspondent

Jagannath University (JnU) students began a mass hunger strike on Friday at 3:45 pm near Kakrail Mosque intersection, pressing four key demands including housing allowances, full budget approval, campus expansion and justice for police action against teachers.

The hunger strike was formally announced by Muhammad Monzur Morshed Bhuiyan, spokesperson of the JnU Teachers’ Association and a professor in the Department of Finance. Both current and former students joined the protests.

Earlier, at 3pm, Mahatab Limon, General Secretary of the Jagannath University Journalists’ Association, made the initial announcement on behalf of the platform ‘Jobi Oikkya’ during a rally.“Our movement has reached a point of no return. We will begin our hunger strike at 3:30 pm and will not leave until our demands are met," Limon said.

On Thursday, Prof Rois Uddin, General Secretary of the JnU Teachers’ Association, also announced the programme on behalf of ‘Jobi Oikkya’ following consultations with leaders of all political and social organisations on campus.

The students have vowed to continue their sit-in at Kakrail until their demands are fulfilled.

“We urged the government to meet our legitimate demands, but instead, we were attacked,” said Prof Rois. 

“Teachers and students were brutally assaulted, yet the authorities have shown no concern for our rights. Even after 35 hours, no decision has been communicated, and we have not received any message from the government,” he said. 

According to  him, the hunger strike would begin after Jumm'a prayers on Friday and called upon all current and former students to join the movement. 

He also announced that May 14 would be observed as a ‘Black Day’ at the university in protest of police attacks on teachers, students, and journalists during earlier demonstrations.

The students are demanding that 70 per cent of JnU students be granted a housing allowance starting from the 2025–26 fiscal year until adequate accommodation is ensured. 

They also call for the full proposed budget for Jagannath University to be approved without cuts, immediate approval and implementation of the university’s second campus in the next Ecnec meeting, and justice for the police personnel responsible for attacking teachers.