Students and teachers of Jagannath University (JnU) have intensified their protest for the third consecutive day by continuing a sit-in demonstration and launching a mass hunger strike at the Kakrail Mosque intersection in the capital. The JnU protest is taking place in defiance of a public gathering ban imposed by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
As of 10:00 am this morning, students had gathered at the site, occupying the street in front of the police barricade near the road leading to the Chief Adviser’s Residence, Jamuna. Slogans were being chanted in support of their demands. A correspondent from Prothom Alo reported that around 50 students were already present at 9:30 am, many of whom had remained at the site overnight. Additional students and teachers arrived on university buses around 10:15 am and 10:30 am.
According to student leaders, the hunger strike officially began following Jummah prayers. Rais Uddin, General Secretary of the JnU Teachers’ Association, stated that current and former students, teachers, staff, and officials of the university would participate in the strike. He also confirmed that the sit-in will continue overnight until the government responds to their demands. The university’s Teachers’ Association has already declared an indefinite suspension of academic activities.
Core Demands of the JnU Protest
The protestors are pushing a three-point demand, calling on the government to:
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Implement housing allowances for 70% of JnU students beginning in the 2025–26 academic year.
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Approve the proposed full budget for JnU without cuts, ensuring proper financial support for development.
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Initiate the second campus project as a priority agenda in the upcoming Ecnec meeting (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council).
They are also demanding justice for what they described as “unprovoked police action” during their long march on March 14, which reportedly involved baton charges and barricades.
As of this morning, vehicular movement from Matsya Bhaban to Kakrail remains suspended due to the ongoing protest. The atmosphere at the scene is tense but peaceful. Protestors maintain their position with strong slogans such as “One, two, three, four, hall is my right” and “Break and smash the evil hands of the syndicate.”
Despite the DMP’s official restriction on public rallies in the area, the students continue to occupy the streets and call for immediate government action. Authorities have not yet made any formal comment on the matter.
The protest, which began earlier this week, has garnered widespread attention and support on social media, with students from other institutions showing solidarity. As the situation develops, all eyes remain on the government’s response to the growing pressure from Jagannath University’s students and faculty.
