Univ students across the country show solidarity with Kuet protests

Groups of students from Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, and Rajshahi University went on hunger strikes demanding the resignation of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Mashud, in a show of solidarity with Kuet students who have been protesting for his removal. Khulna University students added their voice to the demand as well, staging a road blockade in the city this afternoon.

Dhaka University

At Dhaka University (DU), members of the Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad have been staging an indefinite hunger strike since yesterday evening at the base of the Raju Sculpture.

Sixteen members of the organisation were seen continuing their protest today. They held a press briefing at 1:30pm.

Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, chief organiser of Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, said, "If you [the interim government] do not have the authority to remove a mere vice chancellor, then you have no right to run the country or remain in power,"

The organisation demanded that the VC resign by 3:00pm today through government intervention.

During the strike, a joint convener of Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad reportedly suffered a heat stroke and was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, according to Zahid Ahsan, central member secretary of the student body. Two more students were hospitalised after taking ill as well.

The protest began at 5:00pm yesterday, and took the form of a hunger strike from 7:00pm.

Some leaders of the National Citizen Party, including Hasnat Abdullah, came to the protest around 3:00am today and expressed solidarity.

Meanwhile, Gonotantrik Chhatra Jot, a coalition of left-leaning student organisations, organised a symbolic hunger strike at Shahbagh in front of the National Museum from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Wednesday, also expressing solidarity with the Kuet protesters.

Photo: Sakib Ahmed/ STAR

Jahangirnagar University

Students at Jahangirnagar University (JU) also began a hunger strike around 11:45am at the Mohua stage near the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.

Eight activists from Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad and Students Against Discrimination were present at the protest.

Ziauddin Ayan, joint member secretary of Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, stated, "If the biased Kuet VC, Masud, is not removed, we will initiate a nationwide blockade and continue our hunger strike until our demands are met."

Photo: STAR

Rajshahi University

Seven students at Rajshahi University (RU) began their own indefinite hunger strike this morning at 10:00am in front of the Syed Nazrul Islam Administrative Building.

Protesters held placards reading, "One demand, one goal – Kuet VC must resign," and "Kuet, don't be afraid, we haven't left the streets," and "Stand with Kuet, Step Down Mashud," among others.

Sajib Khan, a student of Islamic History and Culture, said, "We don't want to see any form of neo-fascism in the new Bangladesh. A VC's responsibility is not only academics but also ensuring students' overall safety. But the Kuet VC's decision, made under external influence, is completely unacceptable."

Photo: STAR

Khulna University

Students of Khulna University (KU) staged a blockade at the Zero Point intersection in Khulna today, demanding the resignation of the Kuet VC. The program continued from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

Earlier in the day, students marched from their campus to Zero Point, where they blocked four major roads, halting road communication between Khulna and Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jashore, and Dhaka. However, after some time, considering the suffering of the public, the students removed the blockade.