Students of Dhaka University have demanded that the 20-storey ‘Swadhinata Bhaban’, constructed for university employees, be allocated for students’ accommodation.
Following a 5.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday morning, a group of students from Mohsin Hall surrounded the building and raised the demand.
They alleged that the vulnerable condition of the existing residential halls has put their lives at serious risk.
Mohammad Saifullah, social service secretary of the Mohsin Hall Students’ Union, said, “To save our lives, we had to jump from the fifth floor. We have repeatedly appealed to the university administration, but no action has been taken.”
Expressing frustration, he asked, “If a major incident like Rana Plaza happens here, will the university administration simply offer condolences and walk away?”
The protesting students gave the vice-chancellor a 30-minute ultimatum. Another demonstrator said, “If the VC sir does not come within 30 minutes and allocate Swadhinata Bhaban to us, we will move into every room of the building on our own responsibility.”
Although the situation became tense, the university administration has yet to issue any formal response.
A resident of the building, requesting anonymity, told The TIMES of Bangladesh, “Around 95 percent of the rooms have been allocated for employees, and many of us have already moved in. After the earthquake, panic naturally spread among everyone.”
Terming the students’ demands justified, he added, “It is the university administration’s responsibility to address these issues.”
