Dhaka: Students and teachers of Jahangirnagar University (JU) today formed a human chain demanding the immediate implementation of the Teesta Master Plan and ensuring Bangladesh’s fair share of Teesta River water. The programme, organised by JU students from the northern region, was held around 3:30 pm in front of the university’s main entrance adjacent to the Dhaka-Aricha highway, joined by over a hundred participants.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan expressed solidarity with the demand, stating that India has been unilaterally withdrawing Teesta water for years, affecting nearly two crore people in Bangladesh’s northern districts. He emphasized the demand for a 50 percent fair share of Teesta water.
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Sohel Ahmed highlighted the severe impact of India’s Teesta dams on the livelihoods of people in eight northern districts. He urged the interim government to commence the project with Chinese assistance by November to ensure water security for Bangladesh.
Professor Mafruhi Sattar, President of the JU chapter of the Bangladesh Nationalist Teachers’ Forum, stressed that the Teesta issue is a national concern. He warned that if India continues its aggressive water policy, Bangladeshis are prepared to resist as they did in 1971. He called for the immediate start of the Teesta Master Plan.
JUCSU VP Abdur Rashid Zitu pointed out the prosperity brought to India’s West Bengal by the Teesta River, contrasting it with the dry and impoverished conditions in northern Bangladesh, and urged immediate implementation of the project.
JU Chhatra Dal Convener Jahir Uddin Mohammad Babor emphasized the importance of the Teesta Master Plan for improving the livelihoods of millions in Rangpur who rely on the river, calling for swift government action.
The programme was conducted by Philosophy Department student G M Raihan Kabir. Associate Professor Md Habibur Rahman of the Statistics and Data Science Department, JUCSU Joint Secretary (Male) Ferdous Al Hasan, and representatives from various student bodies also spoke at the event.