Jagannath University (JnU) students, teachers, and staff staged a protest on Thursday, 2024, demanding the appointment of a Vice Chancellor (VC) from the university’s own faculty. The protest included a march around the campus, ending with a sit-in in front of the administrative building. The protesters chanted slogans like “Our only demand: VC from JnU” and “No more guest VCs at Jagannath.”
The protesters criticized the practice of appointing VCs from outside the university, arguing that JnU’s own faculty members are highly qualified and have proven their capabilities in administrative roles at other institutions. They questioned why their teachers were not being considered for the position.
Professor Dr. Mustafa Hasan, former dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and current chair of the Department of Social Work, expressed frustration, saying, “For the past 19 years, we have been suppressed. Teachers, students, and staff are united in their demand: the next VC must come from within Jagannath University.”
He added, “If this demand is not met, there will be unrest on campus, and the higher authorities will be responsible. We are protesting peacefully now, but if our demand is ignored, we will be forced to shut down classes and offices.”
Students echoed similar sentiments. Zahid, one of the student protesters, warned, “If a VC comes from outside, there will be fires of protest. No outsider will be allowed through Jagannath's gates.”
Another student added, “We have seen VCs come from outside, achieve their own interests, and then leave. We don't want that to happen again. The next VC must be from within our own teachers.”
The protests come after the resignation of former JnU VC Sadeka Halim on August 11, following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina related to the anti-discrimination student movement.
