Dhaka: Jahangirnagar University (JU) unit of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti staged a human chain on Sunday, demanding an investigation into the alleged connections between JUCSU Vice President Abdur Rashid Zitu and the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). The organization also presented five additional demands to the university administration.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the protest was held in front of the university's Administrative Building. Among the demands were the cancellation of what they claim is a discriminatory accommodation notification for JUCSU and Hall Union leaders, as well as a probe into alleged financial transactions concerning the recruitment and promotion of university officers and employees. Other demands included investigations into allegations of extortion from autorickshaws and shops involving JUCSU VP Zitu and the Salim-Barkat Hall VP, as well as claims that Fazilatunnesa Hall VP Oishi Sarker embezzled Tk 60,000 from the university treasury fund.
The organization also demanded the filing of an anti-terrorism case against detained Asadul Alam Sheikh, who is accused of links with BCL, instead of a cyber security case. Additionally, they called for an investigation into alleged contacts between JUCSU VP Zitu, teacher Hosne Ara Baby, and the banned BCL.
The student group had initially submitted a memorandum with four demands to the university administration on August 19, later adding two more demands. JU unit president Zia Uddin Ayan criticized the administration for inaction despite the submission of the memorandum. Ayan accused JUCSU VP Zitu of extortion and maintaining links with the banned BCL. He referenced a conversation allegedly published in the media where Zitu reportedly told a BCL activist, "If I win, you win too," urging an immediate investigation into these claims.
Ayan also questioned the charges filed against Asadul Alam Sheikh under the Cyber Security Act, despite allegations of his direct ties with the banned BCL. He insisted that a case should be filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Furthermore, he accused Oishi Sarker of embezzling Tk 60,000 from the university treasury and called for a thorough investigation.
Jatiya Chhatra Shakti JU unit general secretary Nadia Rahman Anwesha alleged that political influence persists on campus, despite the post-July political environment. She claimed money was taken from a company under the pretense of allocating space and that projects were awarded without tenders, citing emergency works as justification. Anwesha demanded an investigation into the alleged conversations between Zitu and a BCL activist.
Anwesha warned of future actions, including besieging the Registrar Building if the administration failed to form probe committees and take action promptly. The organization pressed the university authorities to address their demands at the Syndicate meeting scheduled for Sunday.