Three groups at Jahangirnagar University (JU) have taken different positions over the administration’s plan to rebuild the playing field of AFM Kamaluddin Hall beside the new central library, with concerns over students’ recreation, the library’s study environment and tree felling.
Hall students want the field returned after library construction, while other students fear sports activities could disrupt readers. Environmental and left-leaning student organisations have opposed possible tree felling for the proposed reconstruction.
The six-storey central library is being built under the university’s Tk 1,445.36 crore development project. Its construction is about 90 percent complete, according to project sources.
The university selected the hall’s playing field for the library after it failed to demolish the old library building. People concerned said the decision followed discussions among the then university administration, hall authorities and students.
G M M Raihan Kabir, a residential student of the hall from the 49th batch, said the field had been taken temporarily for library construction and was supposed to be returned after the work ended.
“The field belongs to our hall. We were told it would be handed back once library construction was complete,” he said.
Responding to concerns over tree felling, he said new trees could be planted if any had to be removed for the field’s reconstruction.
However, student Altaf Mahmud of 50th batch said a field beside the library could create noise and disrupt studies. He also warned that cricket and football could damage windowpanes and urged the authorities to consider alternative locations, noting that the central playground was nearby.
Adri Angkur, president of JU unit of Bangladesh Students’ Union, said the plan could disrupt the library’s study environment and require further tree felling.
The organisation’s general secretary, Faizan Ahmed Arko, said the university needed to implement a comprehensive master plan. He also opposed decisions on tree felling that could deepen divisions among students.
JU Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Mohammad Nazrul Islam said the original decision to build the library on the field followed discussions among the university administration, hall authorities and students.
The administration would consult all concerned before deciding on the field’s reconstruction, he added.
Vice Chancellor Prof Md Nurul Islam said he was unaware of the decision to build the library on the site and would look into the matter before taking further steps.
“No work should be carried out without proper planning. Unnecessary tree felling should also be avoided,” he said.
Nasir Uddin, director of the university’s development project, said the locations of the new library and the lecture theatre-cum-examination hall had been changed because the old library building could not be demolished.
“The project authorities followed decisions made by the concerned parties and instructions from the university administration,” he added.
People concerned said no assessment had been conducted on the proposed field’s environmental impact, noise pollution, library safety or alternative locations.
They also said the university had made no written agreement with hall students over the use of the land.
The dispute has raised questions about the university’s development planning and decision-making process. Students have called for consultations among all concerned to find a solution that addresses the hall residents’ demand for a playing field while protecting the library’s study environment and the campus’s greenery.