Information and Broadcasting Ministry Advisor Mahfuj Alam has stated that the issues of Jagannath University (JnU) will be resolved quickly through discussions with the Education Advisor.
He made these remarks while speaking with JnU students in front of the police barricade near the Kakrail Mosque around 10 PM on Wednesday (May 14th). During the discussion about their three-point demands, a water bottle was thrown at the Information Advisor's head by someone among the students. The identity of the person who threw the bottle was not immediately clear.
At the beginning of his speech, Advisor Mahfuj Alam addressed the protesting students, saying, "You have taken to the streets with legitimate demands. This will be resolved through discussions with the Education Advisor tomorrow (Thursday)."
Referring to the clash with the police earlier in the day, the advisor said, "Today, some police members may have provoked..." Before he could finish, the students shouted "fake, fake." Suddenly, something was seen hitting his head.
Advisor Mahfuj Alam then said, "I will not speak anymore." He then left for the Chief Advisor's residence, Jamuna, under police protection.
He later briefed the media in front of Jamuna, stating, "Since this morning, the students of Jagannath University have been protesting to resolve their accommodation issues. They have presented three demands. The Ministry of Education will assess the legitimacy of these demands. Our government will look favorably upon universities facing accommodation crises. The demand for a 70 percent accommodation allowance will be discussed and determined. They have also requested the acceleration of the second campus project. We hope these tasks will be completed soon. They have also demanded that the budget not be reduced and that allocations be increased."
He added, "We hope that a meeting between the Jagannath University administration and stakeholders with the Chief Advisor will be arranged soon. These issues will be resolved quickly. I want to express my regret. I believe those who participated in the July uprising did not attack me. I believe those who tried to create chaos in the name of this movement did.
"They were supposed to have a meeting with me today, but they did not attend. They were supposed to have a meeting with the Education Advisor tomorrow morning, but they did not attend. We do not know how the procession suddenly came from Old Dhaka to Kakrail."
Advisor Mahfuj Alam said, "We will not allow this 'Let's go to Jamuna' politics and movement from today. We will take a strict stance on this. Enough is enough. Those students who engaged in these activities have made a big mistake. Students should isolate and identify those who came here with the intention of creating chaos among them."
Addressing the law enforcement agencies, he said, "When teachers and students protest, try to discuss with them first. Try to engage in dialogue first, do not resort to force immediately."
He commented that teachers have been defeated by the students, saying, "Teachers are helpless before them. They have lost their moral authority over them. It is sad for me to see this. I went to talk to them, but they could not maintain dignity. They failed to do so, and they will probably realize it."
