United News of Bangladesh

The long-awaited student union election process at Jagannath University have officially kicked off, following the publication of the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election rules and the formation of its Election Commission, marking a distinctive step in the process. Political student organisations are now racing to form ‘inclusive panels’ while several independent candidates are also preparing to contest either through partial alliances or independent lists. According to various campus-based student groups, at least four organisations are in the process of forming three separate panels. JnU units of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir are planning to form inclusive panels, while Jatiya Chhatra Shakti and Chhatra Adhikar Parishad are holding talks to field a joint panel. JCD leader and prospective JnUCSU vice-president candidate passes away Left-leaning student groups are also moving towards unity to strengthen their position. Chhatra Dal’s Inclusive Presentation Sources within the JnU Chhatra Dal said that among the three top positions—VP, GS, and AGS—two may be filled by popular female candidates including at least one from outside the organisation. The group is trying to engage academically accomplished, athletic, and socially active students and five to seven potential candidates are expected to come from non-political backgrounds. “We have not yet finalised our decision. We are considering both internal and external aspirants. Our goal is to form a unique and inclusive panel by involving female and Hindu students,” said JnU Chhatra Dal member secretary Shamsul Arefin. Shibir’s Focus Popular Candidates Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, is also working to create a diverse panel by including non-members and female students. At least one of the top three positions may go to a non-member, sources said. The group plans to include members of Chhatri Sangstha, Jamaat’s female student wing, students involved in the July Movement, and other progressive people with strong academic and social credentials. JnUCSU election roadmap announced, polls on Nov 27 “We are working to form an inclusive panel consisting of members from Shibir, Chhatri Sangstha, and other students from outside the organisation,” said JnU Shibir president Md Riazul Islam. Adhikar and Chhatra Shakti After years of separate political activity, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, the student wing of National Citizen Party (NCP) and Chhatra Adhikar Parishad are now holding talks to launch a joint panel. Both groups, reportedly disheartened by poor results in other universities’ elections, are keen to consolidate their strength at JnU by nominating academically sound and movement-oriented candidates. “Negotiations with Chhatra Shakti are progressing well though some matters are still under negotiation,” said JnU Chhatra Adhikar Parishad president AKM Rakib. Chhatra Shakti convener Faisal Murad said, “Candidates will be selected based on merit and acceptance. Our panel will also include female and Hindu students.” What Leftists Want Left-leaning organisations are in talks to form a single alliance after facing setbacks in past elections due to division. They plan to include progressive, non-partisan students particularly those active in cultural and social organisations on campus. JnU students besiege VC office, demand action over attack on teachers   “We will ensure maximum inclusivity in our panel. It will include progressive organisations, female students, indigenous students, and even participants from campus cultural groups,” said JnU Socialist Students’ Front president Evan Tahsib. Besides, students involved in journalism, cultural activities, and voluntary work are considering forming an independent panel under the Abakash Bhaban network. Dope Test The JnU Election Commission has announced a draft code of conduct that makes drug testing mandatory for all candidates contesting the central and hall union polls. Anyone testing positive for drug use will be disqualified. The draft, released on Thursday night, also bars students convicted of criminal offences, disciplinary violations, or sexual misconduct from voting or contesting. Students previously punished by the university will remain ineligible until their suspension period ends but may regain eligibility afterward. Campaigning inside classrooms or exam halls during academic sessions will be prohibited, as will rallies and assemblies on campus during the election period. Candidates may spend up to Tk 5,000 in hall elections and Tk 15,000 in central elections while offering food, drinks, or gifts to voters is strictly forbidden. Defamatory, hateful, or provocative speech is also banned. “The initial decision for drug tests has been made but no election date has been set yet. The schedule will be finalised through discussions,” said Chief Election Commissioner Prof Dr Mostafa Hasan. BNP announces possible candidates for 237 constituencies

Students of the Management Studies department at Jagannath University staged a demonstration and besieged the Vice-Chancellor’s office on Sunday protesting an attack on two faculty members and three students allegedly by the leaders and activists of the university’s Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) unit activists. The protest march began from the Shaheed Sajid Academic Building and ended in front of the VC office with a brief rally. Rafique Bin Sadek Resad, a 4th year student, was beaten allegedly by JCD activists over his suspected affiliation with Chhatra League near Shaheed Sajid Building on Thursday. Jagannath University student shot during student movement dies When Student Welfare Director Dr AKM Rifat Hasan and Assistant Proctor Shafiqul Islam intervened they too were verbally abused and physically attacked. The JCD men also allegedly assaulted three leaders of the university's Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad President Md Faisal Murad, Chief Organiser Ferdous Hasan, and Joint Convenor Faruk,accusing them of being linked to Chhatra League. The university authorities formed a five-member committee to investigate the matter.

The government accepted the demands of Jagannath University (JnU) students, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof SMA Faiz announced Friday evening. He broke the students’ hunger strike by offering them water at their protest site in Kakrail of the capital. “The government has accepted all the demands raised by the students of Jagannath University,” said Prof Faiz around 7pm, after arriving at the demonstration site. He said the authorities had been working throughout the day to resolve the issue. “The UGC is like a family—we will work together to address everything. We are committed to implementing all your demands.” JnU students begin mass hunger strike over housing, budget, campus expansion Prof Rois Uddin, General Secretary of the Jagannath University Teachers’ Association, said one of the key demands was action against those involved in the recent attack on students. “Police have expressed regret over the incident and pledged to take action against those responsible within seven days,” he said. He also noted that the government had agreed to all other demands, including an increase in the university’s operational budget. Besides, temporary dormitories will be constructed soon to address the ongoing accommodation crisis, while the implementation of the second campus will begin on a priority basis. These assurances were conveyed by the UGC following discussions with the Finance Ministry and the Chief Adviser’s Office. Earlier in the day, students launched their hunger strike at 3:45pm at the Kakrail intersection, dividing into groups by academic departments to press home their demands.

Different parts of the capital, including Gulistan, Paltan, Shahbagh and Kakrail, experienced severe traffic congestions on Wednesday as students from Jagannath University and various nursing institutes staged separate protest marches. In the afternoon, several hundred nursing students blocked Shahbagh intersection, one of Dhaka’s key points, triggering severe traffic congestions and causing immense suffering to commuters. Vehicular movement came to a halt, forcing many to walk long distances or change routes to reach their destinations. Chhatra Dal stages protest over murder of DU student Shammo Besides, Jagannath University (JnU) students clashed with police near Kakrail as they attempted to march towards the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, to press home their three-point demand. Witnesses said the students began their ‘Long March’ from the campus around 12:30pm, passing through Tatibazar, Gulistan, Zero Point and Matsya Bhaban intersections. Police intercepted them near the Kakrail Mosque, leading to a scuffle.

Jagannath University student Imran Hossain has been elected president of the university’s Journalists' Association, while Mahatab Hossain Limon has been elected general secretary. The association's election for 2024-25 was held on Thursday. Imran is the university correspondent for Dainik Samakal, and Mahatab is from Dhaka Post. Other elected office-bearers were Sajidur Rahman (joint secretary), Nur Alam (finance secretary), and Sakerul Islam (office secretary), who were elected unopposed. Voting for the remaining posts—vice president, organising secretary, and two executive members—will take place on December 15, from 9 am to 1 pm.

Students of Jagannath University on Tuesday night condemned the brutal killing of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif on Chattogram's court premises and demanded the immediate ban of the Hindu nationalist organization ISKCON. They accused the hardliner Hindu organization of threatening the country's sovereignty and engaging in extremist activities. During a protest march that concluded with a rally at 9:30 pm, the students raised slogans such as “Ban ISKCON now,” “No place for ISKCON in our Bengal,” and “Break the black hands of ISKCON.” They also demanded accountability for the killing, chanting, “Why did our brother die? We want answers from the authorities.” Masum, a student of Sociology department, alleged the extremist ISKCON has been conspiring to destabilize Bangladesh for some time. The brutal murder of state lawyer Alif in reflects this agenda. The perpetrators must be arrested and brought to justice without delay. Naimur Rahman, another student, accused ISKCON of working to undermine Bangladesh’s sovereignty and claimed that the organization is aligned with efforts to influence the country’s political stability. JU students demonstrate against killing of lawyer in Chattogram “India is trying to destabilize us to rehabilitate certain forces. ISKCON is acting as their tool. We demand the banning of ISKCON and the arrest of those involved in Alif’s murder,” he said. Junayed Masud, general secretary of the Human Rights Society at JnU, alleged that ISKCON, backed by Indian interests, has long harbored ambitions of creating a unified Indian state at the expense of Bangladesh's sovereignty. “This Hindu nationalist group has repeatedly tried to create unrest in our independent nation,” he said, adding, “The murder of the lawyer is a manifestation of this conspiracy. We demand the immediate arrest and trial of those responsible.” The students vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met, urging authorities to ensure justice and preserve national stability. Advocate Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death amid clashes between police and Hindu community people on a Chattogram court premises on Tuesday after the court rejected bail to former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in a sedition case.  

Students of Jagannath University (JnU) seized 12 buses operated by transport firm Victor Classic on Saturday, in response to allegations of verbal abuse faced by a female student on one of the company’s buses. The students also staged demonstrations demanding action against the alleged perpetrators.  The protest was sparked by a complaint from the female student, who recounted an incident on October 14. She alleged that while travelling from Notunbazar to Sadarghat with her sister, the bus abruptly announced that it would be going no further towards the original destination, upon reaching Gulistan. Students protest market prices, demand Competition Commission resignations The complainant and her sister had already paid the full fare (Notunbazar to Sadarghat), and accordingly believed they would get a refund for the portion of the journey  that got cancelled by the bus. But when she requested this refund, the bus helper abused her verbally, she said. Even after she identified herself as a JnU student, the helper refused to budge and instead responded with threatening remarks. The incident gained attention after the student shared her experience following a social media post about a similar case of harassment. She also filed her formal complaint to the university proctor's office.  Protests grip Begum Rokeya University over teasing of female student by outsiders On Saturday, JnU students mobilised and took control of 12 buses owned by Victor Classic, although the accused bus helper remains beyond their grasp. Meanwhile the university administration, led by Proctor Mohammad Tajjamul Haque, met with two representatives of Victor Classic, named as Mohammad Dulal and Shah Alam, to discuss the issue. The bus owners assured the administration of prompt action and requested three days to resolve the matter, providing a written commitment. Professor Haque stated that if the accused bus helper is not presented within the given timeframe, all Victor Classic bus services would be suspended, and legal measures would be taken against the individual.

Jagannath University (JnU) students detained and handed over Professor Farid Ahmed of Jahangirnagar University’s Philosophy Department to police on Thursday for allegedly assisting in an attack on students during the anti-discrimination student movement at JU in July. Farid was detained on the JnU campus around 11:30 am before being handed over to the Kotwali police station.  “We recognised him when he arrived on our campus this morning,” said Tawhid Islam, a student of the JnU Philosophy Department. “There is a case against him for his role in the attack on students, and we handed him over to the police.” Enamul Haque, Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station, confirmed the  matter saying students detained him on the campus and handed him over to us.   “A case was filed against him at Ashulia police station for his suspected involvement in the attacks on Jahangirnagar University students. He is currently in our custody. Ashulia Police Station may arrest him, or we can arrest him and produce him to the court if we receive orders from higher authorities.” Read: Students in Rajshahi hand over Tk 18 lakh found on the street to police Farid Ahmed faces allegations of aiding Chhatra League's attack on protesting students on July 15, followed by a police assault two days later. Sajjadul Islam, a JU English Department student, filed the case with Ashulia police station, naming then-Vice Chancellor Nurul Alam as the main accused. He was listed as the seventh accused for his alleged role in the attacks. Read more: HC orders MP Salam Murshedy to hand over Gulshan house to govt

Jagannath University (JnU) assistant proctor Deen Islam,  who was arrested in connection with student Abantika's suicide, walked out of jail on bail on Wednesday (May 08, 2024). However, another accused, Abantika’s classmate Amman Siddiqui, is still behind the bar. Read more: Accused JnU teacher, student arrested over Abantika's suicide Deen Islam walked out of Cumilla jail on Wednesday afternoon, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Cumilla Kotwali Police Station Md Feroz Hossain confirmed. OC Md Feroz Hossain said Deen Islam was released on bail today on the order of the High Court. Family members of Deen Islam received him at the jail gate after his release, he said. Earlier on March 16, police arrested the two accused following the death of Fairuz Abantika who committed suicide the previous day. Read more: Abantika’s death: JnU students place 6-point demand

A court here on Tuesday (March 19, 2024) sent Jagannath University teacher Din Islam, who was relieved from assist proctor post of the university,to jail after completion of his one-day remand in a case over the death of Law Department student Fairuz Abontika by suicide. Judge of Cumilla Chief Judicial Magistrate Court Abu Bakar Siddique passed the order when he was produced before the court after remand. A Cumilla court on Monday placed Jagannath University’s suspended student Raihan Siddique Amman and teacher Din Islam on a two and one-day remand respectively in the case. Cumilla train derailment: 4 bogies removed The court also ordered the investigation officer of the case filed to submit a report within seven days. Abontika, a student of the 2017-18 academic year of the JnU Law Department, hanged herself at her Cumilla residence after accusing her classmate Amman and relieved assistant proctor Din Islam in a Facebook post around 10 pm on Friday. In the Facebook post before committing suicide, Abantika said that Amman Siddique and Din Islam would be responsible for her suicide. Hours after death of Abontika by suicide, massive protest broke out and continued till Saturday morning, demanding justice for the student. In the face of student movement, the university authorities were compelled to relieve the assistant proctor and suspend the student to assuage the movement. Jagannath University student Faizur laid to rest in Cumilla family graveyard Besides, the university administration formed a four-member probe committee. Members of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested the teacher and student from Dhaka on Saturday night.