A group of students from Jagannath University has begun a “mass hunger strike” at Dhaka’s Kakrail intersection after nearly 50 hours of sit-in demonstration.
The students have been asking the government for fulfillment of their three-point demands that included resolving the housing problems and starting construction of a new campus.
The hunger strike, as announced earlier, began at 4 pm on Friday as Manjur Morshed, Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies of the university, formally announced it at a rally.
“From now, our mass hunger strike begins. This will continue until our demands are met,” Morshed said.
At the beginning, they observed a one-minute silence to condemn the recent police attack on students and teachers. Nearly 50 students joined the hunger strike.
Jagannath University students have been demonstrating for three key demands such as a housing allowance for 70% of students until proper accommodation is arranged from 2025–26 fiscal year, approval of the university’s full proposed budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year and implementation of the second campus project as a priority in the next ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) meeting.
On Wednesday, students and teachers attempted to march toward the Chief Adviser’s official Jamuna residence but were blocked by police at Kakrail intersection.
When they tried to push though the barricade, police dispersed them with batons, tear gas shells, sound grenades, and water cannons, leaving dozens of people wounded.
Protesters have since maintained a continuous sit-in at Kakrail. The sit-in area was cordoned off and vehicular movements were diverted to other routes.