Students padlock JU business studies faculty over 11-point demand
The students vowed to continue their demonstrations until progress was made on their demands.
Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) padlocked the Faculty of Business Studies today (21 November), demanding action on 11 key points, including the arrest of the rickshaw driver responsible for the recent death of a first-year student.
The protest began around 11:30am when students locked the entrance to the faculty.
They later organised a protest march and staged a sit-in in front of the new administration building.
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The students vowed to continue their demonstrations until progress was made on their demands.
Ali Chishti, a student of the 53rd batch in the English department, said, "We submitted an 11-point demand to seek justice for Rachi's death and ensure a safer campus. Despite 48 hours passing since the incident, the university administration has not taken visible action. Although we heard a case has been filed, there's no evidence that police have initiated an investigation."
Chishti added, "While we understand all demands cannot be addressed in a single day, the administration must take visible steps. If they fail to act, our protests will continue."
JU Proctor Professor AKM Rashidul Alam said, "Our priority is to identify the culprit and ensure maximum punishment. The university has already filed a police complaint. The students' demands are reasonable, and we have banned auto-rickshaws on campus. Efforts are underway to implement the other demands."
The students' 11-point demands include a complete ban on auto-rickshaws on the campus, launching pedal rickshaws and student shuttle services as alternatives.
They highlighted the need for improved campus security, including the installation and regular monitoring of CCTV cameras, better lighting across the campus, and stricter measures to prevent unauthorised access to the premises.
The Jahangirnagar University (JU) administration has filed a case over the death of student Afsana Karim Rachi, who was killed after a battery-run rickshaw hit her on the university campus.
The university's security officer, Mohammad Abu Syed, filed the case at Ashulia Police Station as the plaintiff.
Additionally, the university has established a committee to investigate the incident. The committee, led by Professor Masum Shahriar from the Department of Pharmacy, has been tasked with submitting a report within seven working days.
