9 CU students on hunger strike for 2nd day

Chittagong University's nine students are on hunger strike for the second consecutive day today, demanding the resignation of the university's proctorial body along with seven other previously declared demands.

They began the strike around 12:30pm yesterday in front of the proctor's office under the banner of "Odhikar Sacheton Shikkharthibrindo (Rights-Conscious Students)".

The nine students on hunger strike are Omar Samudra (Bangla, 2019–20), Isha Dey (Music, 2021–22), Rama Sain Marma (Sports Science, 2021–22), Ahmed Mugdho (English, 2021–22), Naeem Shahjahan (English, 2021–22), Sumaiya Shikder (Marketing, 2021–22), Joshad Zakir (Music, 2020–21), Sudarshan Chakma (Bangla, 2019–20), and Dhrubo Barua (Bangla, 2018–19).

The protesters include representative of general students and the Democratic Student Alliance (Gonotantrik Chhatra Jote).

Among them, Naeem said "We placed seven demands before the administration. When we tried to discuss them, they kept persuading us in different ways, but in reality, none of our demands were met. That is why we began an indefinite hunger strike."

He added, "It has been nearly 24 hours since we started the hunger strike, and no one from the administration has come to meet us. Instead, propaganda is being spread against us."

Omar said, "The proctorial body of CU is a glaring example of how shamelessly a university administration can act against students' rightful demands."

The student further said, "The clashes on August 30 and 31, where over 1,500 students were injured, prove their [proctorial body's] utter failure… Such a failed proctor cannot remain in office any longer."

Contacted, CU Acting Registrar Prof Mohammad Saiful Islam said, "We are trying our best to maintain the academic environment, but some are trying to create chaos. Those who attempt to create unrest will not gain the students' support."

For the past four days, they have been staging different programmes also demanding for a safe campus.