Jagannath University (JnU) students have announced a mass hunger strike to press for an increased budget and a four-point demand due to a lack of satisfactory response from government after the second day of protests.
On Friday following Jumu'ah prayers, JnU teachers, students and alumni will begin a hunger strike at Kakrail Mosque intersection.
The new program was announced on Thursday night by Professor Md. Roich Uddin, General Secretary of JnU Teachers’ Association, following a daytime “complete shutdown” protest.
Speaking at a press conference at the protest site, he said, “We, JnU family, have reached a consensus; either our demands will be met, or we are prepared to die. Even on the second day, our demands remain unmet. Our movement will continue until there is a clear acceptance of our demands. Tonight, we teachers will stay here with the students and tomorrow former students will also join us. The mass hunger strike will begin right after Jumu'ah prayers.”
The previous day, during a march from Old Dhaka campus, students and teachers broke through multiple police barricades but were eventually stopped at Kakrail Mosque intersection. Police responded with baton charges, sound grenades and tear gas to disperse them. Protesters then staged a sit-in from afternoon and remained firm on their demands.
What began as a three-point demand later evolved into four. Protesters are now also calling for an investigation into and punishment for those responsible for the police attack on demonstrators during their march toward the residence of Chief Adviser.
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