Students of Barishal University (BU) staged a demonstration by blocking the highway demanding infrastructure development, acquisition of allotted land, and ensuring 100% transport facilities. The protest took place today (24 August) around 1pm in front of the university’s main gate on the Dhaka-Kuakata highway, bringing traffic movement to a halt and causing a long tailback.

Earlier, around 12pm, the students gathered on the ground floor of the university and later marched onto the highway to join the demonstration. During the protest, they chanted slogans such as ‘No more delays with the budget,’ ‘Not on 53 acres, we want 200 acres this time‘,‘Stop dangling carrots, acquire the land quickly,’ ‘Education is not a commodity, it is our right,’ and ‘The vice-chancellor comes and goes, but where is the development?’

Student protester Zubair Hossain said, “When the university was recognised as the first independent university during the July uprising, we thought Barishal University would finally be free from negligence. But the reality turned out to be the opposite. With only two halls accommodating 2,000 students, the rest are forced to live outside. Meanwhile, around 10,000 students attend classes in 36 classrooms. Therefore, our demands must be met without delay.”

Another protesting student, Senjuti, alleged, “Even primary school students receive better facilities than we do. Neither the teachers nor the administration has taken any initiative for infrastructural development. That is why we were compelled to take to the streets.”

University Proctor Rahat Hossain Faisal said, “The students’ demands are absolutely logical. The university has been in crisis for a long time. Although the first phase of construction was completed in 2015, the second phase has not yet begun. However, the budget for the feasibility test of the second phase has already been allocated. Soon, a project director will be appointed, and assessment work will commence through a contracting firm.”

Later, the students withdrew the blockade but warned that if the government failed to respond within 24 hours, they would announce tougher programmes.

The students, since 28 July, have been carrying out demonstrations for infrastructural development and have already placed a three-point charter of demands through a mass-signature campaign.