Jagannath University student Imran Hossain has been elected president of the university’s Journalists' Association, while Mahatab Hossain Limon has been elected general secretary. The association's election for 2024-25 was held on Thursday. Imran is the university correspondent for Dainik Samakal, and Mahatab is from Dhaka Post. Other elected office-bearers were Sajidur Rahman (joint secretary), Nur Alam (finance secretary), and Sakerul Islam (office secretary), who were elected unopposed. Voting for the remaining posts—vice president, organising secretary, and two executive members—will take place on December 15, from 9 am to 1 pm.

Students of Jagannath University on Tuesday night condemned the brutal killing of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif on Chattogram's court premises and demanded the immediate ban of the Hindu nationalist organization ISKCON. They accused the hardliner Hindu organization of threatening the country's sovereignty and engaging in extremist activities. During a protest march that concluded with a rally at 9:30 pm, the students raised slogans such as “Ban ISKCON now,” “No place for ISKCON in our Bengal,” and “Break the black hands of ISKCON.” They also demanded accountability for the killing, chanting, “Why did our brother die? We want answers from the authorities.” Masum, a student of Sociology department, alleged the extremist ISKCON has been conspiring to destabilize Bangladesh for some time. The brutal murder of state lawyer Alif in reflects this agenda. The perpetrators must be arrested and brought to justice without delay. Naimur Rahman, another student, accused ISKCON of working to undermine Bangladesh’s sovereignty and claimed that the organization is aligned with efforts to influence the country’s political stability. JU students demonstrate against killing of lawyer in Chattogram “India is trying to destabilize us to rehabilitate certain forces. ISKCON is acting as their tool. We demand the banning of ISKCON and the arrest of those involved in Alif’s murder,” he said. Junayed Masud, general secretary of the Human Rights Society at JnU, alleged that ISKCON, backed by Indian interests, has long harbored ambitions of creating a unified Indian state at the expense of Bangladesh's sovereignty. “This Hindu nationalist group has repeatedly tried to create unrest in our independent nation,” he said, adding, “The murder of the lawyer is a manifestation of this conspiracy. We demand the immediate arrest and trial of those responsible.” The students vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met, urging authorities to ensure justice and preserve national stability. Advocate Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death amid clashes between police and Hindu community people on a Chattogram court premises on Tuesday after the court rejected bail to former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in a sedition case.  

Students of Jagannath University (JnU) seized 12 buses operated by transport firm Victor Classic on Saturday, in response to allegations of verbal abuse faced by a female student on one of the company’s buses. The students also staged demonstrations demanding action against the alleged perpetrators.  The protest was sparked by a complaint from the female student, who recounted an incident on October 14. She alleged that while travelling from Notunbazar to Sadarghat with her sister, the bus abruptly announced that it would be going no further towards the original destination, upon reaching Gulistan. Students protest market prices, demand Competition Commission resignations The complainant and her sister had already paid the full fare (Notunbazar to Sadarghat), and accordingly believed they would get a refund for the portion of the journey  that got cancelled by the bus. But when she requested this refund, the bus helper abused her verbally, she said. Even after she identified herself as a JnU student, the helper refused to budge and instead responded with threatening remarks. The incident gained attention after the student shared her experience following a social media post about a similar case of harassment. She also filed her formal complaint to the university proctor's office.  Protests grip Begum Rokeya University over teasing of female student by outsiders On Saturday, JnU students mobilised and took control of 12 buses owned by Victor Classic, although the accused bus helper remains beyond their grasp. Meanwhile the university administration, led by Proctor Mohammad Tajjamul Haque, met with two representatives of Victor Classic, named as Mohammad Dulal and Shah Alam, to discuss the issue. The bus owners assured the administration of prompt action and requested three days to resolve the matter, providing a written commitment. Professor Haque stated that if the accused bus helper is not presented within the given timeframe, all Victor Classic bus services would be suspended, and legal measures would be taken against the individual.

Jagannath University (JnU) students detained and handed over Professor Farid Ahmed of Jahangirnagar University’s Philosophy Department to police on Thursday for allegedly assisting in an attack on students during the anti-discrimination student movement at JU in July. Farid was detained on the JnU campus around 11:30 am before being handed over to the Kotwali police station.  “We recognised him when he arrived on our campus this morning,” said Tawhid Islam, a student of the JnU Philosophy Department. “There is a case against him for his role in the attack on students, and we handed him over to the police.” Enamul Haque, Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station, confirmed the  matter saying students detained him on the campus and handed him over to us.   “A case was filed against him at Ashulia police station for his suspected involvement in the attacks on Jahangirnagar University students. He is currently in our custody. Ashulia Police Station may arrest him, or we can arrest him and produce him to the court if we receive orders from higher authorities.” Read: Students in Rajshahi hand over Tk 18 lakh found on the street to police Farid Ahmed faces allegations of aiding Chhatra League's attack on protesting students on July 15, followed by a police assault two days later. Sajjadul Islam, a JU English Department student, filed the case with Ashulia police station, naming then-Vice Chancellor Nurul Alam as the main accused. He was listed as the seventh accused for his alleged role in the attacks. Read more: HC orders MP Salam Murshedy to hand over Gulshan house to govt

Jagannath University (JnU) assistant proctor Deen Islam,  who was arrested in connection with student Abantika's suicide, walked out of jail on bail on Wednesday (May 08, 2024). However, another accused, Abantika’s classmate Amman Siddiqui, is still behind the bar. Read more: Accused JnU teacher, student arrested over Abantika's suicide Deen Islam walked out of Cumilla jail on Wednesday afternoon, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Cumilla Kotwali Police Station Md Feroz Hossain confirmed. OC Md Feroz Hossain said Deen Islam was released on bail today on the order of the High Court. Family members of Deen Islam received him at the jail gate after his release, he said. Earlier on March 16, police arrested the two accused following the death of Fairuz Abantika who committed suicide the previous day. Read more: Abantika’s death: JnU students place 6-point demand

A court here on Tuesday (March 19, 2024) sent Jagannath University teacher Din Islam, who was relieved from assist proctor post of the university,to jail after completion of his one-day remand in a case over the death of Law Department student Fairuz Abontika by suicide. Judge of Cumilla Chief Judicial Magistrate Court Abu Bakar Siddique passed the order when he was produced before the court after remand. A Cumilla court on Monday placed Jagannath University’s suspended student Raihan Siddique Amman and teacher Din Islam on a two and one-day remand respectively in the case. Cumilla train derailment: 4 bogies removed The court also ordered the investigation officer of the case filed to submit a report within seven days. Abontika, a student of the 2017-18 academic year of the JnU Law Department, hanged herself at her Cumilla residence after accusing her classmate Amman and relieved assistant proctor Din Islam in a Facebook post around 10 pm on Friday. In the Facebook post before committing suicide, Abantika said that Amman Siddique and Din Islam would be responsible for her suicide. Hours after death of Abontika by suicide, massive protest broke out and continued till Saturday morning, demanding justice for the student. In the face of student movement, the university authorities were compelled to relieve the assistant proctor and suspend the student to assuage the movement. Jagannath University student Faizur laid to rest in Cumilla family graveyard Besides, the university administration formed a four-member probe committee. Members of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested the teacher and student from Dhaka on Saturday night.

Jagannath University (JnU) student Khadijatul Kubra was discharged from a case filed under the Digital Security Act at Kalabagan police station in the capital. However, the other case, filed at Newmarket police station, was postponed for hearing till February 29. Dhaka Cyber Tribunal judge AM Zulfiqar Hayat passed the order on Sunday. Don't put pressure on children for study: JnU VC Sadeka Halim In October 2020, police filed two cases against Khadija and retired Maj Delowar Hossain at the Kalabagan and New Market Police Stations for 'spreading anti-government propaganda and harming Bangladesh's reputation.' The allegations in the two cases filed a week apart were similar. Police arrested Khadija on September 17, 2022. JnU to organise 3-day theatre festival from January 28 Khadija suffered over 14 months of jail in the DSA cases, and finally walked out of jail on Nov 20, 2023, after securing bail from the Supreme Cout. According to the case details, Khadija and Delowar conspired to broadcast false, fabricated, and defamatory propaganda about the prime minister, various government agencies, and senior state officials in order to oust the country's legitimate administration. They were aiming to destroy communal harmony through their conspiracy by promoting enmity, hatred, and division among various communities, it said. UGC forcibly imposed GST system on us: JnU Teachers Association Khadija was 17 when the cases were filed under the Digital Security Act in 2020, but the case was filed showing her as an adult, according to her lawyer. Despite having kidney disease, Khadija's bail petitions were repeatedly denied by a Dhaka court.

Khadijatul Kubra, a student of Jagannath University (JnU) who was released from Kashimpur central jail securing bail in two DSA cases on Monday (November 20, 2023) morning, sat for an examination shortly after her release.  Khadija was released from Kashimpur Women's Prison at 9 am on Monday and went directly to Jagannath University to take part in the semester final exam.  Although the exam started at 10 o'clock, she entered the hall at 11:30 am. She sat the exam in the fourth semester with two semesters lost. Her elder sister Sirajum Monira said, "We came to the prison early in the morning. Then Khadija was released at 9 am. Khadija's semester final exam starts today that's why we came early in the morning." Read: No bar to release JnU student Khadija from jail as SC upholds HC bail Earlier, Khadija secured bail last Thursday. The bail order reached the jail authorities on Sunday evening.  Despite waiting a long time on Sunday, her relatives had to return without her because she was not given the permission to release. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday upheld a High Court (HC) order that granted bail her in two cases under the Digital Security Act (DSA) in 2020. In October 2020, police filed two cases against Khadija and retired Maj Delowar Hossain at the Kalabagan and New Market Police Stations for 'spreading anti-government propaganda and harming Bangladesh's reputation.' Read: Rally held to demand release of Khadijatul Kobra The allegations in the two cases filed a week apart, were similar. Police arrested Khadija on September 17, 2022. She had been in jail since then. According to the case details, Khadija and Delowar conspired to broadcast false, fabricated, and defamatory propaganda about the Prime Minister, various government agencies, and senior state officials in order to oust the country's legitimate administration. They were aiming to destroy communal harmony through their conspiracy by promoting enmity, hatred, and division among various communities, it said. Read: Students demand release of JnU student Khadija Khadija was 17 when the cases were filed under the Digital Security Act in 2020, but the case was filed showing her as an adult, according to her lawyer. Despite having kidney disease, Khadija's bail petitions were repeatedly denied by a Dhaka court. On February 23 this year, Khadija was granted bail by the HC in the cases. The state filed a petition challenging the bail. On July 10 of the year, the Appellate Division suspended the bail of Kubra for four months in two cases. During the hearing, Khadija's lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua argued that she was not accountable for the opinions expressed by guests in videos on her YouTube channel. Read more: JnU student Khadija’s bail suspended for 4 months in DSA cases

Jagannath University (JnU) student Khadijatul Kubra was released from Kashimpur Women's Jail after securing bail in two cases under the Digital Security Act (DSA). She was released after more than fourteen months of her arrest. Confirming the matter, Khadiza's sister Sirajum Munira said, "We came here early in the morning. Khadiza walked out of the prison at 9am. Her semester final exam is today. For this reason, we came here very early." No bar to release JnU student Khadija from jail as SC upholds HC bail Earlier, Khadija secured bail last Thursday. The bail order reached the jail authorities on Sunday evening. Despite waiting a long time on Sunday, her relatives had to return without her because she was not given the permission to release. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday upheld a High Court (HC) order that granted bail her in two cases under the Digital Security Act (DSA) in 2020. JnU VC Prof Imdadul Haque passes away A six-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the order after hearing a petition filed against the stay order of the Chamber Court. In October 2020, police filed two cases against Khadija and retired Maj Delowar Hossain at the Kalabagan and New Market Police Stations for 'spreading anti-government propaganda and harming Bangladesh's reputation.' The allegations in the two cases filed a week apart, were similar. Police arrested Khadija on September 17, 2022. She had been in jail since then. According to the case details, Khadija and Delowar conspired to broadcast false, fabricated, and defamatory propaganda about the Prime Minister, various government agencies, and senior state officials in order to oust the country's legitimate administration. They were aiming to destroy communal harmony through their conspiracy by promoting enmity, hatred, and division among various communities, it said. JnU student Khadija’s bail suspended for 4 months in DSA cases Khadija was 17 when the cases were filed under the Digital Security Act in 2020, but the case was filed showing her as an adult, according to her lawyer. Despite having kidney disease, Khadija's bail petitions were repeatedly denied by a Dhaka court. On February 23 this year, Khadija was granted bail by the HC in the cases. The state filed a petition challenging the bail. On July 10 of the year, the Appellate Division suspended the bail of Kubra for four months in two cases. During the hearing, Khadija's lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua argued that she was not accountable for the opinions expressed by guests in videos on her YouTube channel. Cases filed under DSA will continue, Law Minister tells Parliament

For Md Asif Ali, it has been a saga of loss, sadness and success. Asif, undaunted by extreme poverty caused by his father’s desertion and then the death of the grandfather, has pursued his dream of higher studies. Today, he has turned from a vegetable seller to a student of Jagannath University thanks to his determination and had work. Talking to UNB this week Asif narrated how the wonder happened and how the humble boy from Swarupnagar village in Puthia Upazila of Rajshahi made it to a premier university of the country. Asif was in class three when his wife-beating father left home one day leaving his grandfather as the only breadwinner of the family. By breaking bricks the old man somehow managed to feed the family. But life had more miseries planned for Asif as his grandfather died two years later. Then a student of class five, Asif learned to endure the horrific pain of hunger when his mother couldn’t earn the daily meal for the family even after buying a goat with borrowed money. “My grandmother tried to help by working in other people’s vegetable fields but what she got at the end of the day was not even enough for one meal,” said Asif. By the time Asif was in class six, he got a job in a hotel on condition of free meals and Tk 5 to 10 per day as wages. “We could buy 30 kg of rice per month with Tk 300 through the government's VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) card but still didn’t have enough to buy something to eat with the rice. There were days we had only a pinch of salt with rice, unable to buy vegetables.” Asif recalled the days when he used to stand for hours in front of the neighbours, houses in hope they would offer him something good to eat. While in class seven he started working at a distant uncle’s vegetable shop at Mahendra Bazar. There he had to work for the whole day on Sunday and Wednesday, the two busiest days of Bazar by dodging classes. “I accepted the condition as for those two days they paid me Tk 100 and some vegetables to take home for the family. My mother used to run the family through my earnings and rearing goats,” said Asif. Every morning a Rajshahi University bus used to stop for the students at Mahendra Bazar. Seeing the respect and honour they got as university students from the locals, teenaged Asif’ was moved. In 2018, for the first time Asif crossed the 2.1 km path from where he worked to the Rajshahi University to visit the campus to watch the celebration “Pahela Baishakh.” Mesmerised by everything he saw on the campus Asif’s daydream of getting higher education turned into a strong determination. That year Asif passed SSC exam from Bharuapara High School obtaining GPA 4.89 and with scholarship ranking 251 in Rajshahi Education Board. He also got a chance at Rajshahi University School and College situated in Rajshahi University. At that turning point of his life Asif remembered gratefully how his shop owner uncle, a lady teacher of the high school, his maternal uncle and a local brother made sure he got admitted by managing the fees and uniform for him. “From there I started nurturing my dream and learned there is no alternative to studies for me. On the two weekdays I used to work in others’ fields,” he said. Also read: Farming pigeons brings Afzal a fortune