JnU protesters end strike as govt agrees to accept demands

Highlights: 

• Strike called off three-day protest after UGC says govt accepted demands
• Demands include housing allowance, full budget approval, second campus
• Student, detained over attack on Adviser Mahfuj Alam, released

Jagannath University (JnU) students and teachers called off their demonstration last night following government assurances to fulfil their demands for housing allowance, full budget approval, and a second campus.

Md Rais Uddin, general secretary of JnU Teachers' Association, made the announcement at the Kakrail intersection in the capital around 8:20pm, saying all activities of the university will resume on Saturday.

Earlier in the evening, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof SMA Faiz visited the spot and assured the protesters that the government had accepted their demands.

Their demands include the implementation of a housing allowance for 70% of students starting from the 2025–26 academic year, approval of the proposed full budget for that academic year without cuts, and prioritisation of the second campus project in the next Ecnec meeting.

They also demanded justice for the police action on their long march on Wednesday, which left nearly two dozen students injured.

JnU students began their demonstration with a long march to the chief adviser's residence in Kakrail on Wednesday. Since then, they have been staging sit-ins at the Kakrail intersection.

Although the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) imposed a ban on rallies, demos in Kakrail and surrounding areas, JnU protest continued in defiance. 

This (16 May) afternoon, the protesting students, joined by JnU alumni and teachers, began a hunger strike to press home their demands.

To resolve the issue, the UGC met with the protesters today, following an earlier meeting with the education ministry in the morning, attended by Education Adviser CR Abrar.

Meanwhile, leaders of several political parties expressed support for the JnU protesters. Zonayed Saki, chief co-ordinator of Ganosanhati Andolan, said their demands were legitimate and the government should address them.

Addressing a rally in front of the National Press Club to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic Farakka Long March, Saki said, "To advisers I say, it is not good to deem that your movement is fair and that others' movement is unfair. Sit with the students to accept their fair demands."

In a statement issued today, Islami Andolan Amir Syed Md Rezaul Karim, also known as Charmonai Pir, also made a similar call to the interim government.

Student, detained over attack on Adviser Mahfuj, released

Mohammad Hossain, who reportedly threw a bottle at Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam while he was addressing the JnU protesters at Kakrail on Wednesday night, was released today afternoon after an initial interrogation by the Detective Branch (DB) of Police, according to a Facebook post made on the page of Mahfuj Alam at 6:45pm. 

"The information adviser spoke with him and his family at the DB office. He invited Hossain to visit his home once the protest ends," the post also reads.

Hossain was earlier taken into DB custody for questioning, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Media Wing said in a press statement. 

JnU protesters called for his immediate release, warning that otherwise, they would besiege the DB office.

After the detention, JnU Chhatra Dal Member Secretary Shamsul Arefin said, "Many are trying to portray our logical movement differently based on an unwanted incident. If the student is not released within the next two hours, the DB office will be surrounded."

The protest, which began on Wednesday, gradually intensified. At 2:15pm on Thursday, our correspondent found hundreds of students chanting slogans in groups at the Kakrail Mosque intersection.

During the demonstration, the JnU Teachers' Association announced a suspension of academic activities until the demands are met.

Professor Nasir Ahmed of the English department said, "The students have gathered with legitimate demands. But we saw how police attacked them, while another group here was served cold water. We urge the government to accept the students' demands."

He added, "A few months ago, students went to the Secretariat, and the government had promised an increased budget for JnU. That promise was not fulfilled."