Jagannath University’s fasting students have taken positions in the Secretariat. The fasting students of Jagannath University have taken up positions at the Secretariat due to the Ministry of Education’s refusal to revise the letter sent within the time frame specified for the handover of building work for Jagannath University’s second campus to the army. General university students have also shown solidarity with them.
Jagannath University’s fasting:Â On Monday (January 13), the Ministry of Education wrote to the university administration, noting that a meeting had been scheduled for Wednesday to completely implement the process of handing over the job to the army. The protesting students labeled the Ministry of Education’s letter “incomplete” and demanded that it be amended. They announced that if the letter was not modified by 4 p.m., they would march to the Secretariat. The students began their march toward the Secretariat shortly after 4 p.m. because the ministry did not respond within the time frame specified.
Around 2 p.m., the university’s Treasurer, Professor Dr. Sabina Sharmin, held a news conference regarding the ministry meeting. She said, “We are honest and sympathetic to the students’ demands. In Bangladesh, any process is likely to be delayed. We are attempting to transfer responsibility for the second campus to the army. The Vice-Chancellor has been in the ministry since the morning. A meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., with participation from the Ministry of Education, UGC, university administration, and the Ministry of Defense, to fully implement the process of handing over work to the army.”
Sabina Sharmin asked the students to end their hunger strike, saying, “Give us a little more time.” Insha’Allah, we will carry out this as per your expectations and in partnership with you. We are adamant that the troops carry out the work.”
Later, about 3 p.m., the fasting students staged a counter-press conference on campus, requesting that the letter sent by the ministry be changed.
At a news conference, Sajibur Rahman, a student in the Department of Islamic History and Culture and the Justice Coordinator for July, stated, “The ministry has sent us a letter about the meeting, but it is unclear.” We’ve created a draft describing how the letter should be written. I’d like to inform you through this platform. A written commitment must be produced for Wednesday’s meeting, stating that the meeting, which will include the Army Engineering Unit, the Ministry of Education, the UGC, and the university administration, would take place only if the three-point demand is met.”
Earlier, around 12:00 PM, the fasting students held a news conference, demanding the Ministry of Education, UGC, army authorities, and university administration to meet with them for discussions. They set a 1:30 PM deadline for all parties to respond. However, no answer was received from either side within that timeframe. Instead, Professor Dr. Sabina Sharmin informed the university that it had received a letter from the Ministry of Education. In a counter-press conference, the fasting students established a fresh deadline for the ministry to modify the letter by 4:00 p.m.
Jagannath University’s fasting… Jagannath University’s fasting… Jagannath University’s fasting.. Jagannath University’s fasting
