A group of teachers and students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) locked its administrative building on Monday morning and pressed for a five-point demand, including the speedy trial of those involved in a gang rape of a housewife on campus earlier this month.
They also demanded the eviction of non-students from the university dorms and accommodation for regular students.
JU student Mahfuz Islam Megh said: "We have been standing here for a fair demand. This administration has forced us to stand up. We believe that the few people standing here today are not just protestors. Rather, we have appeared as representatives of every teacher, student, officer and employee."
JU Chhatra Union Convener Alif Mahmud said: "The university administration has failed to implement the decisions taken in the syndicate meeting. They have not been able to evict non-students. We are initiating a symbolic blockade. The protest will continue until our just demands are met, and if necessary, we will resort to more stringent actions."
JU Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department Prof Sohel Ahmed said: "After a meeting on February 4, the JU vice-chancellor promised to remove non-students from dorms within five working days. Yesterday was the deadline, but there has been no action. We want the administration to give every regular student a place to stay in the dorms. If they do this, non-students living there illegally will have to leave."
JU Bangla Department Prof Shamim Sultana said: "Jahangirnagar University has become lawless. Promises have been made but not kept. We repeatedly offered our help to the administration, but they do not seek our assistance. Everyone knows why. This movement is not about politics, it is about creating a better place for education. Today, the good in student politics is missing; students are just being exploited."
JU Environmental Sciences Department Prof Md Jamal Uddin said: "A culture where people are not held accountable has formed at the university. The culprits have escaped due to a lack of justice. If the university wants to return to a normal environment, a proper investigation is necessary. However, there is doubt whether this investigation will be conducted fairly. I condemn this administration. The administration has yet to take any specific steps to evict non-students from the halls."
JU History Department Prof Parveen Jolly said: "The vice-chancellor said yesterday that ‘we are trying our best to get the non-students out.’ If he had tried his best, he should have taken out at least 500 students in these five days. If he cannot, then I want to ask him for what reason he is in his position. The proctor of the university has been coming back to the post for the last few years. We do not know what special qualities he has, we do not see any special qualities. He is accused of oppression, inciting numerous acts of abuse. "
