JU students on 2-day strike as ultimatum to VC ends

Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) called a two-day strike today as their 10-day ultimatum demanding resignation of the vice-chancellor ended yesterday.

Under the banner of “Jahangirnagar Against Corruption”, the students were staging a sit-in in front of university’s administrative building where a section of teachers also joined them.

Classes and regular examinations were suspended due to the strike, our JU correspondent reports after visiting different departments of the university.

The students have been demanding removal of the university’s VC Prof Farzana Islam for her alleged involvement in corruption and moral degradation.

Last night, the protesters barred the university’s transports resulting in low presence of teachers and students on the campus.

JU VC-backed teachers’ platform “Bangabandhu Shikkhak Parishad” holds a human chain on Wednesday, October 02, 2019 against the incumbent Pro-VC (admin) Prof Amir Hussain, claiming that he was involved with irregularities in admission in 2004 and demanded his punishment. Photo: Collected

JU acting Transport Office Prof Ali Azom said, “Some students halted the operation of Dhaka-bound buses last night but we have managed to make the operation normal.”

“As the VC Prof Farzana Islam did not resign from the post willingly within our deadline, we are observing the strike and it will be observed the next day too,” Mohammad Didar, one of the organisers of the movement.

He said that they would continue their demonstration until the VC step down from her post.

Protesters gave a 10-day ultimatum from September 22 to the JU VC to resign from her post.

Meanwhile, VC-backed teachers’ platform “Bangabandhu Shikkhak Parishad” held a human chain today against the incumbent Pro-VC (admin) Prof Amir Hussain, claiming that he was involved with irregularities in admission in 2004 and demanded his punishment.