JnU students withdraw blockade after 26-hour sit-in over stipend

Students of the 20th batch of Jagannath University (JnU) withdrew their blockade of the administrative building today, freeing Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Rezaul Karim, who had been confined inside for 26 hours following their sit-in.

The blockade also left Treasurer Prof Dr Sabina Sharmin, the registrar, the proctor, and several administrative officers and staff confined during the protest over stipend.

The students began their sit-in in front of the administrative building at 9:00am yesterday, demanding inclusion in the first instalment of the stipend. Around noon, the protesters locked the main gate of the building, confining the vice-chancellor and the treasurer inside.

The scholarship policy originally covered five batches: 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. However, with six batches currently enrolled, the policy was adjusted to provide the scholarship to the 15th batch in the first phase and the 20th batch in the second phase. The students of the 20th batch, however, are protesting, demanding the full scholarship amount.

Prof Dr. Rais Uddin, president of the Teachers’ Association, said that his colleagues were unreasonably confined in the administrative building for nearly 26 hours. He added that after speaking with the protesters and calling a meeting for the following day to discuss their demands, the students decided to withdraw their protest.

Earlier the same day, the students brought out a protest procession from in front of the vice-chancellor’s residence, demanding a housing allowance.

Meanwhile, the university’s proctorial body decided to refrain from all activities in protest against what it described as the unjustified confinement of the administrative building without prior notice. The body also expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to students.

JnU Proctor Prof Dr Muhammad Tazammol Hoque disclosed the decision in a Facebook post. Proctorial activities were resumed after five hours, according to university sources.