United News of Bangladesh

Effigies of several individuals were burned at Dhaka University on Thursday in protest against the government’s move to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chittagong Port to foreign entities, branding them as “economic hitmen.” The demonstration was held in the afternoon at the Raju Sculpture under the banner of “Aggrieved Student Community (Sangkhubdo Shikkarti Samaj).” Effigies of Shipping Ministry Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain, the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, and Chattogram Port Authority Chairman S M Moniruzzaman were set ablaze during the programme. The protesters said the government must withdraw from any initiative to hand over control of Chattogram Port, described as a key pillar of Bangladesh’s national security, to foreign hands. Mohiuddin Rahat, a 2019–20 session student of the Department of Criminology at Dhaka University, said the government is making excessive efforts just ahead of the election to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal to DP World. “It appears as if the government believes its entire mission and vision will fail if it cannot hand over this port,” he said. NCP officially launches election campaign from Dhaka University He further alleged that four individuals within the Bangladesh government are attempting to lease the New Mooring Terminal to DP World in exchange for commissions from foreign companies, and that they have been lobbying extensively to hand over Chattogram Port to DP World.    

At least 20 people, including two journalists, were injured in a clash centring on the inter-department football tournament final at Jagannath University (JnU) on Thursday. The injured journalists are Rakibul Islam Rakib and Limon Hossain, campus correspondents of The Daily Star and Dainik Amar Desh, respectively. The identities of the other injured could not be ascertained immediately. The incident took place around 1:00 pm at the university’s central playground in Dhupkhola following the final match between the Department of Islamic Studies and the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism. Eyewitnesses said the match ended in a draw in regular time and went into a tie-breaker, where the Department of Islamic Studies won 3–0. After the match, an argument broke out between students of the two departments, which later escalated into physical clashes. Some of the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for primary treatment. Later, students from other departments and university authorities intervened and brought the situation under control.

General students of Islamic University (IU) on Wednesday formed a human chain demanding the trace and justice for two meritorious students of the university—Md. Walidullah of the Dawah and Islamic Studies department and Al Mokaddas of the Al Fiqh and Law department—who went missing from Savar area in Dhaka on February 4, 2012. The human chain was held at 2:30pm on Wednesday (February 4) in front of the university’s main gate, with banners in hand. Speaking on the occasion, general students said, “We want to remind the interim government that our brothers Walidullah and Mokaddas were brilliant faces of the university. They were also cultural activists. But sadly, cultural organisations take to the streets at the slightest provocation, yet in the case of our Walidullah and Mokaddas brothers, they remain silent with sealed lips. Through this human chain, we want to declare that our Walidullah and Mokaddas brothers have been forcibly disappeared. We demand justice for them and insist that no mother’s lap should ever be left empty again. To ensure that the culture of disappearance and murder never returns, those involved must be given exemplary punishment.” On the occasion, Islamic University Chhatra Shibir secretary Rashedule Islam Rafi said, “From this human chain today, we want to say—give us back our brothers. Ensure proper justice for all those who have been disappeared. Bring those involved in these disappearances to trial and inform the public so that no one in Bangladesh has to face disappearance again. If we do not see justice for disappearances and murders, the culture of disappearance and murder may return to Bangladesh. To stop this culture, justice is essential. From here today, we want to tell the university administration—bring the then-proctors and those who were in authority at the university under proper legal process and interrogate them; it is possible to find the trace of our brothers this way. If you fail to provide information about our brothers, we will also stand against you. Finally, I want to say—our student Sajid Abdullah was martyred at the university. Ensure proper justice for Sajid Abdullah, our Mokaddas brother, and all others who have been victims of disappearance, murder and killing from this university. Take measures so that such incidents do not occur again in campuses across the country.” The human chain was attended by students from various departments under the banner of general students.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Sunday staged a protest march on Dhaka University campus, condemning  the offensive remarks about women made from the verified X account of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman. The protest was held in response to a post circulated on social media on Saturday which drew widespread criticism for its language towards women.

Dhaka University (DU) has formally inaugurated activities under its large-scale development project with an estimated cost of Tk 28.41 billion, alongside several other development initiatives. The inauguration ceremony was held on Saturday at the auditorium of the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building on the university campus. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan attended the event as the chief guest and officially launched the project activities. The development projects include the construction of a 21-storey academic building for the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, residential buildings for third-class employees, a 15-storey IT hub, nine halls (four for male students and five for female students), six academic buildings, a central mosque, DUCSU building, medical centre, administrative building, gymnasium and playground development, renovation and beautification of water bodies, road network development, and the construction of public toilets. Read More: NCP officially launches election campaign from Dhaka University During the event, the Vice-Chancellor also briefed journalists on 41 major activities and achievements of the university administration carried out between August 2024 and January 2026. The programme was presided over by DU Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. Among others present at the event were Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Admin) Professor Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed, deans of all faculties, provosts of all residential halls, and leaders of DUCSU and hall unions. Mohammad Jabed Alam Mridha, Acting Director of the Planning and Development Office, presented an overview of the ongoing and proposed development project activities. Read More: Dhaka University to begin online classes from tomorrow

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) on Saturday resumed protests demanding the election of the university’s central students’ union (SUCSU), announcing a complete shutdown of all academic and administrative activities until the polls are held. Protest leaders said the shutdown would take effect from Sunday and continue until the SUCSU election takes place. The announcement was made in the afternoon by Delwar Hasan Shishir, vice-presidential candidate of the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed Durbar SUSTian Oikya panel. He said the SUCSU election must be held before the national election. “After discussions with class representatives (CRs) of all departments on Friday, we decided to enforce the shutdown. Our movement will continue until the SUCSU election is ensured,” he said. Earlier in the day, students brought out a protest march on the campus around 5:00pm. The procession started from Gol Chattar, marched through the Shah Paran Hall area and briefly staged a sit-in at Syed Mujtaba Ali Hall. The march later moved to Chetona-71, proceeded past the female residential halls and ended in front of the university’s administrative building. During the demonstration, protesters chanted slogans, including 'SUCSU cannot be shut down by mobs', 'SUCSU cannot be shut down from Dhaka', and 'I have a plan, SUCSU ban'. Participants in the procession included VP candidate Delwar Hasan Shishir, GS candidate Mujahidul Islam, independent GS candidate Palash Bakhtiar, Junayed Ahmed, Faisal, and Bangla Department student Abu Saleh Md Nasim, among others. It may be mentioned that voting for the SUCSU election, scheduled for January 20 after a gap of 28 years, was suspended following a writ petition filed by two candidates and a student. On January 19, the High Court ordered a four-week stay on the election process.

Saraswati Puja-1432 has been celebrated with befitting verve and grandeur at Dhaka University, attracting a large number of devotees. The festivities at Jagannath Hall kicked off with the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and the arts, on Friday. From the morning, thousands of devotees from diverse walks of life were seen participating in various rituals, including offering flowers at the goddess's feet and performing Bani Archona. This year, various departments and institutions of the university have set up a total of 76 puja mandaps at the Jagannath Hall playground. Additionally, separate celebrations have been organised at the female halls. Cultural and recreational activities were arranged at Jagannath Hall. Devotees believe that on the fifth day of the month of Magh, Debi Saraswati, symbolising truth, justice, and knowledge, arrives in the world riding a white swan. On this day, Hindus across the country observe worship to honour the goddess. The organisers said that the Jagannath Hall has historically upheld a tradition of religious harmony and cultural inclusivity, and the Saraswati Puja is celebrated in a manner that respects all faiths and communities. DU philosophy department student and Jagannath Hall resident Sajon Sarker said, "This puja is organized in our hall every year with great pomp. We want this trend to continue forever. Our wish in this puja is that we can build a harmonious Bangladesh."

Saraswati Puja, the worship of the goddess of knowledge, arts and music for followers of Sanatan Dharma, is being celebrated at Jagannath University in a grand and festive atmosphere. The puja formally began on Friday (January 23) at 8:30am on the university campus and is still ongoing. This year, 37 out of the university’s total 39 departments have organized Saraswati Puja in separate pandals. According to sources, every year the worship of Goddess Saraswati is held on the fifth day (Shukla Panchami) of the lunar month of Magh, following traditional rituals. The puja begins with the invocation of the goddess and concludes with floral offerings (Pushpanjali) and the distribution of prasad. Smriti, a student of the English Department who participated in the puja, said, “We are celebrating this day with great joy. We have also invited friends from other religious communities and they have joined us. We are eating together and enjoying the moment,it feels wonderful.” Another student from the Bangla Department, Hriday Roy, said, “Goddess Saraswati is the deity of knowledge, music and arts. Through this puja every year, we pray to be educated with true learning and to awaken the hidden talents within us.” Tatini Roy Tithi, a student of the History Department, said, “This is the only day of the year when we worship Goddess Saraswati. We pray so that we can pursue knowledge properly throughout the year. I am really enjoying such a joyful environment on campus.” Rabindranath Mondal, president of the Puja Committee, said, “Since morning, this year’s Saraswati Puja has been celebrated in a very grand manner with the combined participation of teachers, students, and staff. As the president of the Puja Committee, I would like to especially thank the Proctorial Body and the JnU Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) Committee for their overall cooperation. In particular, the support of JnUCSU Cultural Secretary Takrim is highly commendable.” After visiting the puja mandaps, Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University Professor Rezaul Karim said, “Saraswati Puja is being celebrated with great grandeur and enthusiasm among the students. I have visited every mandap. Congratulations to all Sanatani students. To ensure a more elaborate celebration, we have increased the budget this year compared to last year.”

Students of Narail Nursing College on Thursday confined the principal and an instructor to the principal’s office alleging corruption and indecent behaviour. The students formed a human chain and staged a protest on the college premises around 10am bringing a series of allegations against Principal Afroza Khatun. The allegations include embezzlement of mess funds, use of rude language against students, misappropriation of funds allocated by the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM), manipulation of formative marks and issuing threats to students. Later, the protesting students confined Principal Afroza Khatun and instructor Reksona Parveen to the principal’s room. During the protest, the students demanded the resignation of the two officials, proper accountability for the alleged corrupt practices and the return of all embezzled money. At one stage, the students produced resignation letters, which were later signed by the two officials. However, the students refused to allow them to leave, insisting that they would remain confined until fair accountability is ensured and the alleged misappropriated money is returned. Principal Afroza Khatun, however, denied all the allegations brought against her. On information, police rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. Necessary legal action will be taken, said Md Oli Mia, Officer-in-Charge of Narail Sadar Police Station.  

Jagannath University (JnU) authorities have decided to hold classes online from February 26 to March 9 In observance of the holy month of Ramadan, The decision was announced in a notice signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Sheikh Gias Uddin on Wednesday. According to the notice, the decision was taken at the 76th meeting of the Academic Council of Jagannath University held on January 15. Shibir-backed panel sweeps top posts in Jagannath University students’ union elections As per the decision, all undergraduate and postgraduate classes of the university will be conducted online during the period.