Students of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) ended their 59-hour-long hunger strike on Tuesday night after receiving assurances from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and university authorities regarding long-awaited elections for the students’ union.
The hunger strike, which began at 11am on August 17, was withdrawn at 10:15pm on Tuesday after UGC member Prof Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan joined the protesting students via an audio call.
Prof Tanzimuddin, who heads the BRUR-CSU draft law finalisation committee, assured the protesting students that union elections would be held between October 26 and 30.
During the call, Prof Tanzimuddin informed students that the final draft of the university students’ union law would be completed in a meeting scheduled for Thursday and subsequently forwarded to the President for approval. Once signed, the legislation will be incorporated into the BRUR Act and published as a government gazette.
“This time is needed to make a perfect law, so that the next government cannot find any mistakes,” said Prof Tanzimuddin, urging students to call off their strike.
Encouraged by the assurance, the students officially ended their hunger strike. University officials, including Vice-Chancellor Dr M Shawkat Ali, registrar, student adviser, and the proctor, had remained present on campus throughout the protest.
VC Dr Shawkat Ali later announced the election roadmap, stating, “Once the official notification is issued, all election-related activities will commence immediately. The students’ union election will be held on any day between October 26 and 30.”
Ashiqur Rahman Ashiq, one of the protesters, said, “We had no other choice but to go on a hunger strike. We want to ensure that divisive student politics never returns to Martyr Abu Sayeed’s campus. All student demands must be addressed through elected representatives. After nearly 60 hours, the UGC has accepted our demands and the university has announced a clear roadmap.”
Another student said, “Despite conspiracies and attempts to derail our movement, our unity helped us succeed.”
The protest continued their demonstrations for three months demanding the inclusion of the students’ union in university legislation and a formal election schedule. During the hunger strike, four students fell ill and were hospitalised.