DU VC expresses solidarity with protesting students

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof M Akhtaruzzman today expressed solidarity with the students who went on hunger strike demanding deferral of the election schedule for Dhaka city corporation elections.

“The students' protest reflects democratic values and noncommunal spirit in a systematic way,” Akhtaruzzman said after expressing solidarity with the protesting students at the Raju Sculpture.

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“Their demand is logical. I urge the Election Commission to defer the voting date on the occasion of the Saraswati Puja,” he added.

At least 10 students of the DU fell sick while observing the hunger strike for the second consecutive day, demanding deferral of Dhaka north and south city corporation elections scheduled for January 30 -a date that coincides with Saraswati Puja.

Apurba Chakrabarty and Orko Shaha were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) this noon as they fell sick during the strike, said Utpal Bishwas, vice-president (VP) of DU’s Jagannath Hall students’ union.

Kajal Das, general secretary of the union, and seven others were given saline as they also fell ill.

Around 50 DU students went on the hunger strike at the foot of the Raju Sculpture yesterday demanding deferral of the two city corporation elections.

A group of Dhaka University students has been observing fast unto death for the second consecutive day beneath Raju Sculpture on Friday, January 17, 2020 demanding deferral of Dhaka north and south city corporation elections scheduled for January 30 that coincides with Saraswati Puja. Photo: Anisur Rahman/Star

Meanwhile, Jago Hindu Parishad, a platform of the Hindu community, staged demonstrations on the campus in the morning demanding a deferral.

Activists of the platform gathered in front of the Raju Sculpture and formed a human chain there around 11:30 AM, our staff photojournalist reported.

Jago Hindu Parishad, a platform of the Hindu community, forms a human chain in front of Raju Sculpture on Dhaka University campus on Friday, January 17, 2020 demanding the deferral for Dhaka city corporation polls. Photo: Anisur Rahman/star

Hindu communities and others are putting forward demand of deferral of the election date for first week of January.

Others including DNCC Awami League mayoral candidate and the BNP-led Jatiya Oikyafront have voiced the same call. 

An appeal was filed with the Supreme Court on Thursday, challenging the High Court verdict that rejected a writ petition for changing the election date.

Hindu minorities expect that hearing will take place on Sunday. 

Despite growing pressure, the EC appears to be sticking to its guns, saying it is ready to hold the election on January 30.

It, however, said it would change the polls date only if the SC asks it to do so.