Hunger strike ends at Raju Sculpture as martyrs' families intervene

Three students ended a 72-hour hunger strike at Dhaka University’s (DU) Raju Memorial Sculpture on Saturday afternoon after the families of July uprising martyrs urged them to break their fast.

Those protesters-Sadique Munem and Sakibur Rahman of Dhaka University, and Sheikh Mostafiz of North South University-were immediately rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in critical condition. Prior to their hospitalization, the strikers had refused all medical aid, stating their sacrifice was necessary to "protect the July revolution."

The hunger strike was called to press a three-point demand, including the implementation of recent referendum results. Despite the conclusion of the fast, the students noted that no concrete assurances have been provided by the government.

Students accepted coconut water from the fathers of martyrs Farhan Faiyaz, Saidul Islam, Jaber and Saikat, and break their strike. While the families successfully pleaded for the students' lives, they simultaneously vowed to launch a "larger movement" to ensure the protesters' demands are met.

This three-day protest drew significant attention from academic and political circles. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, along with political figures Mamunul Haque and Nasiruddin Patwary, visited the site to express solidarity.

In a display of resolve, Sakibur Rahman’s mother traveled from Narsingdi to support her son. Rather than asking him to quit, she encouraged his persistence.

DUCSU VP Abu Shadik Kayem remarked that the movement remains unbroken, stating, “Sons whose own mothers give them courage to fight for the country cannot be defeated.”

The event highlights a mounting tension between student activists and the administration, as protesters expressed frustration over institutional responses that have remained limited to verbal commitments.

NRE/AM