Students of Jahangirnagar University staged a protest rally on Friday, demanding a ban on all forms of political affiliations involving students, teachers, officers, and staff.
The protest began at 3pm at the university’s Shaheed Minar, with students gathering before marching through key campus roads, eventually concluding outside the vice-chancellor's residence. More than a hundred students participated in the rally.
The protesters chanted slogans such as “Political affiliations lead to drug syndicates and rape,” “We are all JU students, no place for politics,” “No right-wing or left-wing politics, we reject their presence,” and “One demand, no more politics.”
At the end of the protest, the students presented a three-point demand: the immediate ban of all political affiliations involving students, teachers, officers, and staff, the prompt holding of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) elections and the punishment of those involved in the attacks on campus from July 14-17 under both university and national laws.
Shakil Islam, a student from the History Department’s 48th batch, said: “We do not want any form of politically affiliated activities on campus. The administration must issue a notice immediately banning all such affiliations. Additionally, the student union must be revived to restore a healthy campus environment.”
In response, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Kamrul Ahsan said: "Banning student politics in the face of sudden protests is equivalent to mob justice and depoliticization. A decision like this should be made after consulting all stakeholders. The administration needs time to carefully consider this issue."
Following the vice-chancellor’s remarks, the students called off the protest but warned of stricter movements if their demands are not addressed by Sunday.