B Mirror Desk : Students of Jagannath University (JUB) are continuing their protest for the third consecutive day at the Kakrail intersection, near the residence of the Chief Advisor, advocating for four key demands. They initiated a mass hunger strike today, Friday (May 16), at 3:30 PM, with participation from university faculty, staff, and both former and current students.

The program was officially announced by Dr. Muhammad Manjur Morshed Bhuiyan, a spokesperson for the Teachers’ Association and a professor in the Finance Department, who stated, ‘We will not leave this location until our demands are fulfilled. Our hunger strike commences now.’ Earlier, during a rally at 3 PM, Mahtab Limon, the General Secretary of the Jagannath University Journalists’ Association, declared the hunger strike on behalf of ‘JUB Unity’, emphasizing, ‘Our movement has reached a critical juncture; there is no turning back. The hunger strike will begin at 3:30 PM, and we will not depart without achieving victory.’ Thousands of current and former students have joined the mass hunger strike, creating a vibrant atmosphere at the Kakrail Mosque intersection filled with slogans.

However, the government has yet to make a definitive decision regarding the acceptance of their demands. Students are questioning why the government is reluctant to acknowledge their reasonable requests, noting that both teachers and journalists have faced injuries in the pursuit of these demands. Solidarity from various national figures is being expressed, yet despite the government’s establishment through their sacrifices, they seem unwilling to grant the rightful claims of the students.

Previously, on Thursday, Professor Dr. Raishuddin, General Secretary of the University Teachers’ Association, announced today’s program on behalf of ‘Jabi Oikya’, stating that students will remain at the Kakrail intersection until their demands are met.

The students have outlined four key demands: the implementation of housing scholarships for 70 percent of Jagannath University students starting from the 2025-26 fiscal year until adequate housing is secured; the full budget proposed by Jagannath University for the 2025-26 fiscal year should be approved in its entirety; the approval and prioritization of the second campus project of Jagannath University in the upcoming ECNEC meeting; and the need for accountability for the police officers involved in the assault on teachers.