Photo: Collected
Jagannath College in Old Dhaka was upgraded to Jagannath University in 2005 following the passage of the Jagannath University Act. The university initially had eleven halls, some of which were shut down or deemed unlivable. Ever since the students of Jagannath University have been protesting for proper accommodation facilities.
In 2009 and 2011, students organized demonstrations demanding the restoration and construction of the halls. In response, the authorities announced the construction of Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, a female-only hall that accommodated 1,200 students in 2022. However, no other halls are available for the students.
Consequently, most students of Jagannath University lack proper accommodation facilities and have to rely on rented houses or messes in Old Dhaka. According to the latest assessment by the UGC, the university ranks last in terms of residential amenities. Non-resident students face various problems as a result.
Hasan Hafiz, a final-year student at the university, said, "There is no hall for boys, and the female-only hall is inadequate for the total number of female students. We are forced to stay in rented homes in Old Dhaka, which are expensive and of poor quality. Most of the houses lack proper lighting and ventilation, and we are forced to live in an unhealthy environment."
Shawon Hossain, a second-year student, added, "As there is no hall for boys, we have to stay in a mess, which costs us 7 to 8 thousand taka per month. It is extremely challenging for us."
On May 1, 2023, Mehdi Hasan Shawon, a student in the university's 2019–20 session, died in an explosion while buying cooking utensils for his mess. Students lamented on social media that his death was a result of the lack of proper accommodation facilities at the university.
Furthermore, students of Jagannath University have been attacked by local gangs in Old Dhaka at various times. On March 28, 2023, local juvenile gang members assaulted students in the Gandaria area, injuring at least five students. Students claim that they would not have had to face such incidents if the university had proper accommodation facilities.
The students demand that the university authorities make arrangements for proper accommodation facilities as soon as possible on the new campus in Keraniganj. The construction work for the campus has been underway since 2016. The university authority has already allocated the necessary land and hopes to complete the first stage of work soon. Subsequent work, such as the construction of halls and academic buildings, will be carried out afterward.
TDM/MI
