JnU students demand bigger UGC allocation

Students of Jagannath University (JnU) on Tuesday staged a protest rally on the campus demanding that the University Grants Commission (UGC) allocate increased funds for the university. 

The protesters rallied first at the university's "Shanto Chattar" and paraded through the Science Building and Social Science Building before dispersing in front of the Rafique Building.

During the protest, the students chanted slogans, "We reject the administration's budget," "Break the black hand of discrimination," "We demand cancellation of the discriminatory budget," "We won't accept UGC's discrimination," and "No more injustice in budget allocations."

The students alleged that while UGC provides sufficient and timely budgets to other universities, Jagannath University does not receive the same treatment.

The students said they always step in first during any national crisis, but when it comes to budget allocation, they are left behind.

"We are kept under the shadow of UGC's discrimination. But not anymore. If our demands are not met, JnU will show its fierce side," said one of the protesters.

Their four-point demands include increasing Jagannath University's budget in the 2025–26 fiscal year; accommodation allowances for at least 70% of the students; initiating construction of the second campus, as well as Dr. Habibur Rahman Hall and Bani Building in Old Dhaka, by 10 May; making it mandatory for the university administration to brief progress on the construction of the second campus and halls every 15 days; and announcing a roadmap for the Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JACSUR) election by 15 May.

Masud Rana, convener of the JnU Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, stated that the students have played active roles in all major movements.

Addressing the UGC chairman, he said, "Jagannath University students have made sacrifices for you to sit in that chair. End this discrimination. Fulfill our four demands including housing."

Ashiqur Rahman Akash, secretary of Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh JnU unit, said, "There wasn't a single day during the 2024 movement when there wasn't a protest in Old Dhaka. You've built your ministries on our blood. Now we are being discriminated against. JnU cannot function without accommodation allowance. If our demands are not met, we will lay siege to the UGC building."

Announcing the next programme , AKM Rakib, president of JnU Chhatra Adhikar Parishad, said, "Either Jagannath University will operate like a real university, or it will shut down forever. We will continue our ongoing movement. Tomorrow at 9am, we will hold a sit-in protest in front of the administrative building."