With Rajshahi University authorities deciding to keep the residential halls closed during the Eid vacation from April 27 to May 7, many students are in troubled waters.

These students told UNB that the decision to keep the residential halls closed has left them in shock, given the fact that many of them belong to far-away places and just can't afford to travel to their homes for such a short vacation.

Partho Sarothy, a student of RU’s theatre department, said the university authorities must not take such "drastic steps" during festivals like Eid.

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“My final exams are slated for May 15. The halls are closed till May 8. It may not be possible for me to complete my revision within just seven days of returning to the hall," said Partho, who stays in Suhrawardy hall.

Delwar Hossain, a master’s student of the applied chemistry and chemical engineering department, said, "I wanted to stay on the campus during the festival to prepare for this year's BCS examination. But the authorities have made my life miserable to some extent."

Professor Sultan Ul Islam Tipu, pro-vice-chancellor of the university, said, “Earlier, we never received any complaints from the students about the closure of halls during the Eid vacation. Hope to take into account the demands of the students next year."

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Fortunately, some major public universities, including Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Begum Rokeya University, Sher E Bangla Agricultural University, and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, will keep their dormitories open during the Eid vacation.