A protest cultural programme titled “Break the Barricade” was held at Jahangirnagar University (JU) on Sunday night to demonstrate against the restrictions imposed on the movement of female residential students under the pretext of security.
Organised by Jahangirnagar Cultural Alliance, the programme commenced at 9pm with the screening of film “The Circle” on the Jahanara Imam Hall premises.
Following this, a bicycle and foot march was held from the hall to central Shaheed Minar at 11pm. The event concluded with protest songs, poetry recitation, and a street play titled “Juta” performed by Jahangirnagar Theatre (Auditorium).
Shemanti Rodoshi, general secretary of Jahangirnagar Cultural Alliance, said a notice was recently issued at Jahanara Imam Hall prohibiting female students from leaving or entering the hall after 11pm.
She noted that similar restrictions have also been observed in several other female residential halls of the university.
Rodoshi questioned why such restrictions should be imposed in 2026, asserting that ensuring student safety is the responsibility of the administration and the government.
She argued that the administration cannot shift the burden of its failure to provide security by curtailing the freedom of movement of students.
Proma Raha, president of Jahangirnagar Cultural Alliance, remarked that the organisers conveyed messages of awareness alongside protest through each segment of the programme.
She highlighted that a key objective of the march was to re-establish a normal and unhindered environment for female students’ movement on campus. Criticising the separate restrictions applied solely to female students’ halls, Raha maintained that any formulated policy must apply equally to all students.
Rajeev Chakraborty, general secretary of Jahangirnagar Theatre (Auditorium), said that one of the targets of cultural practice is to foster thoughtfulness and humane values in people.
He remarked that cultural workers have always been vocal against conservative mindsets towards women in society and various structural systems, adding that it is necessary to promote free and humane thinking through cultural activities.
The protest saw active participation from general students as well as leaders and activists from various cultural organisations affiliated with Jahangirnagar Cultural Alliance.
