Nine CU students launch hunger strike over resignation of proctorial body

Nine students of Chittagong University have begun a hunger strike, demanding the resignation of the university's proctorial body along with seven other previously declared demands.

The protest organised under the banner of 'Rights-conscious Students' includes leaders of the Democratic Student Alliance and general students.

It started around 12:30 pm in front of the proctor's office and is ongoing.

The protesters said they had hoped for a democratic campus environment following recent unrest but instead faced an administration that "failed to ensure accountability and student safety."

"The administration threatens students during peaceful demonstrations, took back their IDs and photos, and now tries to brand us as 'terrorists' to cover up its own failures," the students alleged.

The 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 Shahjan (English, 2021–22), Sumaiya Shikder (Marketing, 2021–22), Joshad Zakir (Music, 2020–21), Sudarshan Chakma (Bangla, 2019–20), and Dhrubo Barua (Bangla, 2018–19).

Speaking at the protest, Omar Samudra said, "We have repeatedly tried to raise our demands before the administration, but they ignored us. The proctorial body must step down immediately."

Isha Dey, an organiser of the Revolutionary Student and Youth Movement's CU unit, added, "We have been protesting for four days with our seven-point demand. We even handed over a memorandum signed by more than a thousand students. Yet the administration says it will only consider this after the Cucsu election. Hundreds have already been injured in clashes, and there is no guarantee such incidents will not happen again. Until the proctorial body resigns, we will continue our hunger strike until death."

Professor Qurban Ali, assistant proctor of the university said, "We have learned that the students are on a hunger strike. We will hold a discussion with them shortly and then decide on the next course of action."

Earlier, the students staged a torch procession and a symbolic paint-throwing demonstration at the proctor's office, submitting a memorandum to the vice-chancellor. Receiving no response, they escalated their protest by launching the hunger strike.