JnU students and teachers demand shutdown until demands met

Students, teachers, and stakeholders of Jagannath University (JnU), united under the banner of Jagannath University Oikyo, have declared a shutdown of the university until their demands are addressed.

Prof Rais Uddin, general secretary of the Jagannath University Teachers’ Association, stated, “Threats will not deter us. Our demands are just, and the university will remain closed until they are fulfilled.”

Meanwhile, JnU students have continued their blockade at Kakrail intersection in the capital for the second consecutive day, pressing the government to meet their four-point demands. They vowed to maintain their sit-in until a clear and official response is received.

Reflecting on the previous day’s events, Prof Rais said he had formally expressed regret to the Information and Broadcasting Adviser on behalf of the teachers’ association. “That adviser is a former student of ours,” he noted.

“Our students have protested peacefully for two days, yet the government remains unresponsive. This government, born from the sacrifices of July revolutionaries, now turns its back on them. We supported these advisers’ rise through our movement, but now they oppose us,” Prof Rais added.

Security has been tightened around the chief adviser’s official residence amid the unrest.

Clashes between police and protesters on Wednesday left over fifty people injured, including teachers, students, and journalists. Prof Rais Uddin was among the injured.

The situation escalated around 12:40 pm when police baton-charged and fired tear gas at JnU students during their “Long March to Jamuna” rally at Kakrail, injuring several participants.

At approximately 10:10 pm, Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam arrived at the protest site to attempt dialogue. While discussions took place, tensions flared as some students shouted slogans accusing the adviser of being “fake.”

As night fell, around 300 JnU teachers and students remained camped on the streets near Kakrail mosque, determined to continue their protest until their demands are met.