The Fine Arts department students of Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia, have gone on a hunger strike demanding the return of their allocated classrooms. They began their fast-unto-death in front of the administration building around 3:00 pm on Monday (November 04). The students announced that they would continue their protest in writing until their allocated space is handed over.
Earlier, they had been staged in front of the administration building. Their demand is that the illegal occupants be evicted from the Rabindra-Nazrul academic building and that they be given access to their allocated rooms.
The students said, ‘Although we have been allocated classrooms, we cannot use them. The rooms are occupied by the Folklore Studies department and Development Studies department. We have no place to conduct our classes or exams. We haven’t even been able to accommodate our new department head. Despite approaching the administration, we haven’t found any solution. So, we have been forced to resort to a hunger strike. We will continue our fast until the administration takes written action on our demands.’
Proctor Professor Dr. Shahinuzzaman said, ‘The Vice-Chancellor is out of campus. Upon his return to campus, a decision will be made on the matter on Tuesday. I informed the protesters about the matter this afternoon. We are working towards a solution.’
Earlier, on Sunday morning, the Fine Arts department students started a protest to get back their allocated rooms. Later, around 12:00 pm, students from the Folklore Studies and Development Studies departments staged a counter-protest and sit-in, accusing the former of being occupiers. At 1:00 pm, when the Vice-Chancellor met with teachers and students from all three departments, he assured that he would ensure the rights of each department, and the protest was suspended.
