The hunger strike by three students at the Raju Sculpture of Dhaka University has entered its 60th hour, with the protesters remaining firm on their three-point demands, including the implementation of the referendum verdict.
Last night, Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam visited the protesting students and urged them to call off the strike, but the students refused to back down.
Around 10:30pm, the VC went to the Raju Sculpture and listened to the students’ concerns. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Sayema Haque Bidisha, Proctor Prof Saifuddin Ahmed, and other faculty members accompanied him.
Addressing the protesters, the VC said, “The message of the hunger-striking students will be duly conveyed to the government. A decision on the matter will be taken in the National Parliament following discussions between the ruling and opposition parties. Please end your hunger strike and return home.”
However, the students rejected his appeal. One of the protesting students, Sadik Munawar Munem, said, “We will not return with mere assurances. We will not move until our demands are met.”
Speaking to reporters after the VC left, Munem alleged that the VC’s conduct reflected a lack of minimum respect towards their demands.
The hunger strike participants include Munem from the Department of International Relations, Sakibur Rahman from the Department of Sociology, and Sheikh Mostafiz of North South University. They have been continuing the strike without food or medical assistance since Wednesday afternoon.
However, last night, doctors visited the site and had to prescribe two protesters saline. Munem refused to take the prescribed saline.
Meanwhile, families of those killed in the July events and leaders of different political parties have been gathering at the Raju Sculpture in solidarity with the protesters. Over the past few days, leaders, including Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish chief Mamunul Haque, Chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nasiruddin Patwari, and Ducsu VP Abu Shadik Kayem, along with several members of parliament, have expressed solidarity with their demands.