A section of students of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) began an indefinite hunger strike this afternoon, demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Professor Muhammad Masud.

The pre-announced hunger strike commenced at 4:00pm in front of the university's Student Welfare Centre, where students gathered with mattresses, pillows, and bed covers to begin their protest.

The move followed the expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum issued for the vice-chancellor's resignation, which ended at 3:00pm.

Around 3:30pm, students began assembling near Dr MA Rashid Hall before marching to the Student Welfare Centre. Several university officials, including the director of student welfare, syndicate members, the president of the teachers' association, and department heads, were already present at the location.

As students arrived, faculty members attempted to persuade them to abandon the strike, but the protesters remained resolute.

"We will not call off this hunger strike until the VC resigns," one of the protesting students said.

The students accused the VC of failing to ensure their safety during a violent attack by Chhatra Dal activists and outsiders on February 18. Instead of protecting them, they claimed, the administration allowed legal action to be taken against 22 students, and then suspended 37 students — most of whom, they argue, were victims of the attack.

Despite submitting their demands to the interim government, the students said no effective action had been taken.

"We had to narrow down to a single demand because we fear for our safety," another protester said.

"How can we trust a VC who uses suspensions to suppress our movement?"

The students also rejected the investigation committee's report, which described the February 18 incident as a "clash".

"The incident happened on the 18th, yet the committee report mentions both the 18th and 19th. What happened on the 19th? Why the shift?" they said.

Another major grievance concerned CCTV footage of the attack being leaked on social media.

"Only the investigation committee and the syndicate should have access to such CCTV footage. How did it reach a Facebook page? We demand accountability. Did the administration itself hand over evidence to outsiders, violating university rules?" they asked.

Earlier in the day, KUET's Director of Student Welfare, Professor Abdullah Elias Akhter, held a press briefing, saying that some discussions had taken place with student representatives. He claimed that the administration had pledged to reconsider the suspensions and review the legal actions.

"Good discussions were held on other demands too," he said, urging students to return to normal academic activities.

However, a protesting student denied that any formal dialogue had taken place.

"Since the new director just joined, he merely called us to meet. We met him out of courtesy, but there was no proper discussion," the student said.

The unrest at KUET began on February 18 when clashes broke out between two student groups. Protesters under the banner of general students alleged that members of organisation Chhatra Dal, accompanied by outsiders, attacked them during a rally demanding a ban on student politics on campus.

Chhatra Dal, on the other hand, accused members of Students Against Discrimination and activists from Islami Chhatra Shibir of attacking them.