JnU protesters on mass hunger strike at Kakrail

Jagannath University (JnU) teachers and students have launched a mass hunger strike at Kakrail intersection in Dhaka, demanding the fulfillment of their four-point charter of demands. 

The protestors have declared they will march toward Jamuna as part of their ongoing movement.

The hunger strike began around 3:30 PM on Friday, following a rally attended by current and former students of the university. The announcement was made by Mahtab Limon, General Secretary of JnU Journalists’ Association, on behalf of the platform JnU Unity.

“Our movement has reached a point of no return,” Limon said. “We are beginning our hunger strike at 3:30 PM. We will not return without victory.”

Earlier in the day, in line with their pre-announced program, current and former students and teachers gathered in Kakrail to press for the acceptance of their demands. The rally, which began around 2:15 PM after the Juma prayers, also saw participation from alumni of various departments.

This marks the third consecutive day of sit-in demonstrations by JnU students. However, unlike previous days, the protestors today positioned themselves not directly at the Kakrail intersection, but at the entry road leading to the chief advisor’s residence. As a result, traffic at Kakrail remained normal and the main intersection stayed open.

The four key demands of the protestors are:

1. Implementation of a housing allowance scheme for 70% of Jagannath University students starting from the 2025–26 fiscal year until permanent student accommodation is ensured;

2. Full approval of the proposed 2025–26 fiscal year budget for Jagannath University without any cuts;

3. Immediate approval and implementation of the second campus project in the next ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) meeting as a priority development initiative;

4. Legal action against police personnel involved in recent attacks on students.

University representatives have emphasized that they will continue the hunger strike until the authorities meet their demands. The administration has not yet issued an official response.