Barishal University students hang banners on government buildings amid housing, classroom crunch

“Our crisis means nothing to the government. That’s why we’ve occupied two government buildings,” a student says

Students of Barishal University, locked in protests over acute classroom and housing shortages, have hung banners on two government buildings in the city, symbolically declaring them as part of their campus.

On Wednesday evening, after blocking roads during a day-long programme, demonstrators marched to the Novotheatre building around 8pm and unfurled a banner reading “Academic Building-3".

Half an hour later, they placed another banner on the Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC) building, declaring it a “residential hall".

“Our crisis means nothing to the government. That’s why we’ve occupied two government buildings,” said Ashraful Molla, a sociology student. “We will hold classes in one and turn the other into a hall. If the government refuses to address our problems, we will not vacate them.”

Law student Shahidul Islam Shahed described the move as “a programme of protest”, demanding both buildings be officially brought under the university's control.

Acting Proctor Rahat Hossain Faisal acknowledged frustration of the students. “I have heard about the banners. The university faces severe shortages of classrooms and accommodation, and the campus itself is very small,” he said.

He noted that the government had already allocated funds for a feasibility study in response to the three-point demand of the students.

“Work is under way. The banners, I believe, are a symbolic action born out of emotion.”

The university administration will soon hold discussions on the matter, he added.