Published : 05 Sep 2025, 07:24 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:45 PM
Six students at Barishal University have begun a hunger strike to press for three demands: immediate expansion of campus infrastructure, full transport provision for students, and acquisition of land for the university.
They launched the strike around 9.30pm on Thursday, unfurling a banner under the ground floor of the academic building to mark the start of their protest.
Five of the students on hunger strike are Sharmila Zaman Senjuti from the English department (2021–22 session), Shawkat Osman Sakkhar from law, Taizul Islam Taj from accounting, Amiyo Mondol from mass communication and journalism (2022–23 session), and Abu Bakar Siddique from chemistry.
Amiyo said they had been raising the issues for a long time, but the administration took no visible action.
“This was the only way left. The strike will continue until our demands are met,” he added.
Sharmila said, “We held peaceful protests, avoided blocking roads to spare the public, yet the authorities remained unmoved. So we have now started this hunger strike. Let the authorities come and answer to us. We will not leave without a resolution.”
University Proctor Rahat Hossain Faisal said he would visit the campus in response to the strike.
“There are adequate security measures in place. If any student falls ill, we have a medical centre ready to provide immediate support,” he added.
The three demands are:
• Completion of feasibility studies for the university’s second phase of infrastructure development within six months, followed by mandatory approval and initiation of work through a gazette from the government, UGC, and the Ministry of Education.
• Acquisition of the remaining about 60.7 hectares of land allocated for the university within a specific timeframe, with details on sources, procedures, and deadlines clearly published in a gazette.
• Independent transport facilities ensuring 100 percent coverage for students, with a timeline for implementation. Until then, BRTC buses must be provided to guarantee full transport support.
Mass communication and journalism student Mehrab Hossain said no government representative had contacted the protesters despite 36 days of demonstrations.
He said their demands to the UGC and the ministry remained unmet. If any student suffers due to the hunger strike, the administration must take full responsibility.
