10 DU students fall sick during hunger strike, VC expresses solidarity

At least 10 protesting students fell sick on the second day of hunger strike, demanding the deferral of Dhaka city corporations' elections date for Saraswati Puja. 
 
Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University (DU) Professor M Akhtaruzzman on Friday expressed solidarity with the protesting students.

"I support the students' demand for a change of date of the city corporation elections scheduled to be held on January 30. It is illogical to hold the elections during Saraswati Puja," said Professor Akhtaruzzman.
 
"The students uphold a non-communal spirit which also reflects democratic values. I urge the Election Commission to defer the voting date on the occasion of Saraswati Puja."
 
Two of the sick students – Apurba Chakrabarty and Orko Shaha – were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital; while Kajal Das, general secretary of Jagannath Hall Students' Union, and seven others received primary treatment.
 
Utpal Bishwas, vice-president of DU's Jagannath Hall Students' Union and also the spokesperson of the hunger strike, told The Business Standard that they would continue their strike until the election date is deferred. 
 
About 50 DU students have been on hunger strike in front of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture since Thursday, demanding deferral of the two city corporation elections.