At least six of the nine students on hunger strike at Chittagong University (CU) have fallen ill, with three requiring treatment at the university’s medical center. The strike, now entering its 36th hour since it began Wednesday afternoon, continues with protesters demanding the resignation of the proctorial body alongside a seven-point charter.
Those currently under treatment are Sumaiya Shikder, organizer of the Women’s Wing; Jashod Zakir, president of Revolutionary Student Unity; and Dhrubo Barua, CU unit organizer of the Democratic Student Council. They were taken to the medical center around 10 pm Thursday after their condition deteriorated.
“How much more deterioration does the administration want?”
Second-year Fine Arts student Jannatul Ferdous, accompanying the sick students, said:
“From yesterday nine students have been fasting. The administration came once, but they did not respond to the students’ just demands. Now three are in the medical center, while others remain sick at the proctor’s office. How much more deterioration does the administration want to see?”
She also noted the shortage of doctors and ambulances:
“There weren’t enough doctors in the medical center, and no ambulances were available. We had to bring them by rickshaw. Even now the administration refuses to admit the legitimacy of the demands.”
Meanwhile, other fasting students, including Sudarshan Chakma of the Hill Students’ Council, Ahmed Mugdho of Revolutionary Student Unity, and Isha Dey of the Revolutionary Student Youth Movement, were given saline in front of the proctor’s office.
Emergency department in-charge Md. Shubho confirmed three students are under treatment:
“Due to prolonged fasting, their blood pressure dropped. We gave them saline. It will take some time for their condition to stabilize.”
7 Demands Beyond Resignation
While the resignation of the proctorial body remains the primary demand, the strikers also seek:
- Proper medical treatment for students injured in the August 30–31 clashes with locals
- Safe accommodation for displaced students
- Security for those who published videos of the attacks
- Punishment of the real perpetrators
- Formation of an inclusive coordination committee
- Implementation of syndicate decisions
Administration’s Position
CU’s Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Shamim Uddin Khan said the administration had invited students to talks last Sunday, but the hunger strikers refused. “They are continuing the fast-unto-death despite our call for dialogue,” he said.
Background
On 30–31 August, violent clashes between CU students and local residents left at least 500 students injured. Protesters accuse the administration of failing to ensure security and instead shielding attackers. Since then, under the banner of Adhikar Sacheton Shikkhartibrindo, students have been staging continuous demonstrations.
