A group of students at Aliah University has been on an indefinite hunger strike outside the Vice-Chancellor’s residence at the university’s New Town campus, alleging prolonged delays in infrastructure development and academic reforms. The protesting students said they had completed more than 40 hours of hunger strike while demanding action on a range of issues, including hostel facilities, campus infrastructure, academic resources, recruitment of teachers and greater transparency in university administration.
Students Raise Concerns Over Campus Infrastructure
According to the students, power outages frequently leave two hostels at the New Town campus without electricity, while the campus lacks an adequate alternative power supply for emergencies. They also alleged that several toilets in the hostels and academic buildings are in poor condition and that portions of the plaster on the academic building have deteriorated.
The students further claimed that the university library has an inadequate collection of books and that there are not enough smart classrooms and teaching staff. They have demanded the appointment of sufficient numbers of faculty members and improvement of academic facilities.
Hostel Shortage Among Key Demands
Hostel accommodation has emerged as one of the principal demands of the protesters. The students have sought adequate residential facilities, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. They have also demanded that university-owned land near the New Town campus and the Park Circus campus be utilised for the construction of hostels and other essential infrastructure.
The protesters have also called for the organisation of a convocation ceremony, improved security on campus and action against students accused of creating disturbances.
Students Demand New Hostels on Vacant Land
Among those participating in the hunger strike are Junaid Shahariyer, Abujahid Miah, Nazrul Miah, Md Maruf Hasan Sabuj, Sk Soheb Al Hasan, Asif Rana and Shah Mujtuba. They claimed that a large tract of vacant university land near the entrance to the New Town campus has remained unused for a considerable period.
“There are not enough hostels, classrooms, laboratories, playgrounds and even staff quarters at the university. We demand that the process of constructing hostels for Aliah students on a portion of this land should begin immediately,” the students told The Observer Post.
They also pointed to vacant land near the Park Circus campus and demanded that a hostel be constructed there as well.
Student Alleges Favouritism in Hostel Allotments
Nazrul Miah, a student of the Department of Management and Business Administration who is participating in the hunger strike, raised allegations regarding the university’s temporary hostel allotment system. He alleged that recommendations and favouritism were being used in hostel allotments, resulting in financially disadvantaged students being deprived of accommodation and forced to rent rooms outside the campus at higher costs.
Speaking to The Observer Post, he said, “The temporary allotment system must be abolished immediately. Hostel applications should be invited according to established criteria, and a merit-based list should be prepared transparently. If necessary, a joint committee comprising university authorities and student representatives should be formed to verify applications and resolve doubtful cases.”
He also demanded an investigation into alleged irregularities in hostel and canteen tenders and called for greater transparency in the university’s administrative and financial processes.
Students Allege Irregularities in Admissions and PhD Programmes
The protesters have also raised allegations concerning admissions and research programmes. Md Maruf Hasan Sabuj, a student of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, alleged that irregularities had taken place during the previous year’s admission process, including claims that admissions were offered in exchange for money. He said complaints had been submitted to the university authorities but alleged that no investigation or action had followed.
Sabuj further alleged that politically influential individuals had secured admission to PhD programmes despite allegedly lacking the required qualifications, while students who had cleared examinations such as UGC-NET, SET and GATE had been deprived of opportunities.
The students have demanded an independent inquiry into the allegations, disciplinary action against anyone found responsible, publication of answer keys for admission examinations and disclosure of central rank-allocation lists along with scores and merit points. They have also sought an investigation into alleged irregularities in PhD admissions and recruitment.
University Appeals for Dialogue
Aliah University Registrar Abdul Khan said the students had been asked to submit their demands in writing to the university authorities. The administration has also appealed to the students to withdraw their sit-in protest so that the issues can be discussed and resolved through dialogue.
