Rstablishment of Bogura University at Khaleda Zia's promised location demanded
Shajahanpur (Bogura) Correspondent
Residents of Shajahanpur Upazila have held a human wall, rally and blockade of the Dhaka-Bogra Highway demanding the establishment of 'Bogra University' at the place called Jamalpur promised by the recently deceased former BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
The program started at 10 am on Tuesday at the Naimile area of the Dhaka-Bogra Highway on the initiative of residents of Shajahanpur, Gabtoli, Sherpur, Dhunat and Nandigram. Due to the program, traffic on the highway was stopped from 10 am to 12 noon and long traffic jams were created on both sides.
Representatives of various professions who participated in the human wall said that about 25 years ago, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had proposed to establish Bogra University in Jamalpur area of Shajahanpur Upazila.
They alleged that initiatives are being taken to establish a university elsewhere, excluding the proposed site, citing obstacles in land acquisition, and a law has been passed for this purpose.
Civil society leaders from Shahjahanpur, Gabtoli and Kahalu upazilas of the district said that there is sufficient land in the Jamalpur area to establish a university and there are no practical obstacles in land acquisition. In addition, the geographical location of the area, beautiful environment, developed road connectivity, the possibility of the under-construction Bogra-Sirajganj railway line, and the proximity to the Rural Development Academy (RDA) are very suitable for establishing a university.
They alleged that despite the local administration's readiness to acquire the land, the authorities of the Bogra Science and Technology University applied to the Deputy Commissioner's office on December 3, 2025, but the relevant file has been stuck for six months.
Bogura-7 (Gabatoli-Shajahanpur) constituency MP Morshed Milton had raised the issue in the National Parliament and had made a formal application to the Prime Minister's Office for the establishment of the university.
They mentioned that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had assured them of establishing a university in the Jamalpur area on his way back from his visit to Bogura.
The protesters withdrew the highway blockade program on the condition of speedy implementation after assurances of DC.
