Hundreds of Jahangirnagar University (JU) students staged a protest on campus on Tuesday night, condemning the killing of lawyer Saiful Islam in an attack allegedly by unruly sections of the Hindu community on Chattogram court premises. Saiful was killed during a clash between police and followers of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in the Chattogram Court Building area. Around 500 students from various dormitories gathered at the Bot Tola area on campus and took out a procession around 8:20pm, marching through different campus roads. During the procession, students chanted slogans such as: “Hindu Muslim Bhai Bhai, Ugrobader Thai Nai; Bichar Bichar Bichar Chai, Saiful Hottar Bichar Chai” (Hindus and Muslims are brothers, there is no room for extremism; We demand justice for Saiful). The procession concluded in front of the Shaheed Minar on campus, where a brief rally was held. Speakers at the rally condemned the killing of Saiful and urged everyone to maintain communal harmony, resisting any attempts to provoke violence. They also called for ensuring the highest form of justice for the murder.

Prof M Harunur Rashid, former Director General of Bangla Academy and ex-teacher of Jahangirnagar University, passed away at a hospital in the capital on Tuesday. He was 85. Prof Harunur Rashid, who had been suffering from cancer, breathed his last at Ibn Sina Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, his son Humayun Rashid told UNB. He was buried around 8:45pm after Isha prayers at Baba Hujur Mosque premises near Kazipara in the capital's Mirpur. Prof Rashid was born on 28 December 1939 into a Bengali Muslim family in the Tinsukia district of Assam Province. He completed his BA Honours (1960) and MA (1961) in English from Dhaka University. Later, he pursued further education at the University of Cambridge (Fitzwilliam College), UK, where he earned a BA Honours (1966) and an MA (1970). On February 7, 1991, he was appointed Director General of Bangla Academy, marking a significant milestone in his career as an educational administrator. Ex-Chief Justice Ruhul Amin dies at 83 During his tenure, he published the Bangla Academy English–Bengali Dictionary. After serving as Director General for four years, he returned to Jahangirnagar University, where he later opted for voluntary retirement in 1998. Following his retirement in 1999, Prof Rashid briefly transitioned into journalism, serving as the chief editor of Dhaka Courier, a national English-language newsweekly. However, this phase of his career was short-lived, and he subsequently joined North South University as an adjunct professor of English, where he taught for eight years until December 2008. In January 2009, he joined Darul Ihsan University as an adviser and professor of English. He also taught at the Dhaka branch of International Islamic University Chittagong, continuing his academic contributions until 28 February 2015. Prof Rashid held several prestigious positions in national organizations. He was elected president of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in 1998 for a two-year term. In February 2007, he became the president of Bangla Academy for another two-year term. On 5 August 2015, he was unanimously elected Chairman of Wild Team (Wild Life Trust of Bangladesh). Prof Rashid’s extensive career as an academic, administrator, and advocate for wildlife conservation showcases his diverse contributions to education and society.

A section of students of Jahangirnagar University on Wednesday locked the university's main gate and staged a sit-in there to protest the death of Afsana Karim Rachi, a first-year student, in a campus accident. Afsana, a marketing department student, died on Tuesday after being hit by a battery-run rickshaw near the arts building of the campus.  Residents protest govt decision on Saint Martin’s tourism The protest is being held by students of 53 batch and the protesters vowed to continue it until the authorities accept their 8-point demands, including punishment to the culprit and ensuring safety of the students on the campus. No vehicle is being allowed to move in and out of the campus during the protest.

Leaders of the Jahangirnagar University (JU) unit of the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement today took down the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the council room in the university’s new administrative building today. Several coordinators from the movement gathered outside the building around 1 pm before proceeding to the council room. The students chanted slogans like “Mujibbaad er godite agun jalo ek sathe, Mujibbaad er astana bhenge dao guriye dao”. After removing the portrait, the group held a brief rally outside the building. Touhid Siam, a coordinator of the movement, said, “We previously issued an ultimatum to the university administration to remove Sheikh Mujib’s portrait, but they failed to act. Therefore, we took matters into our own hands. Mujibbaad will no longer exist in Bangladesh.” Rizvi apologises for remarks on removal of Mujib's portrait In a separate development around 3 pm, students under the banner of ‘Gono Obbhutthan Rokkha Andolon’ held a protest rally demanding reforms to the university’s quota system and the removal of portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from university offices. Shoaib Hasan, a student of Urban and Regional Planning and an activist of the group, said, "Our demands include the abolition of the Vice-Chancellor’s quota in JU admissions, reforms to the reserved quota for the offspring of employees, and the removal of Sheikh Mujib's portraits, which represent autocracy, from all government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions."

A recruitment scandal has surfaced at Jahangirnagar University involving a staff member accused of accepting Tk 20 lakh in exchange for securing a position for an applicant. The accused, Md. Abul Kalam Hawlader, a former general secretary of the university's employ association and a staff member in the Botany department, allegedly took the money to influence the hiring process for an assistant horticulturist position. The recruitment board, however, never convened, leaving Hawlader in a tight spot. Despite returning the money after mediation by the university’s top officials, no formal legal action has been taken against him. In 2022, Jahangirnagar University published a job notice for the position of Assistant Horticulturist under the Faculty of Biological Sciences. Due to a lack of suitable candidates, the position remained vacant. A year later, in July 2023, the university reissued the job notice, this time inviting candidates with degrees in agriculture, horticulture, or arboriculture to apply. Hawlader allegedly sought to take advantage of this opportunity. According to reports, Hawlader demanded Tk 30 lakh initially from Ramesa Rifat Roza, a former student of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University’s Agriculture Faculty, to secure the horticulturist position. After negotiations, the sum was settled at Tk 20 lakh, which was transferred via bank to Hawlader. Read: Jahangirnagar University gets new VC The recruitment board failed to meet even after a year, amid the upheaval caused by the nationwide quota reform movement and subsequent changes in the university’s administration. Realizing the job might not materialize, Ramesa’s family pressed Hawlader to return the money. Hawlader initially returned Tk 900,000 but delayed returning the remaining amount. On August 29, Ramesa’s husband sought help from the former Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Dr. Md. Nuhu Alam, to resolve the matter. Dr. Alam immediately called in key university officials, including Acting Registrar Dr. A.B.M. Azizur Rahman and Deputy Registrar (Legal) Mahtab-uz-Zahid. In a meeting at the Dean’s office, Hawlader admitted to the transaction, apologized, and promised to return the remaining funds. On September 1, he repaid the rest of the money via bank transfer. Dr. Alam confirmed the incident, saying, "I had no involvement in recruitment-related financial dealings throughout my career. When Habibur (Ramesa’s husband) approached me, I promptly informed the Registrar and Legal Officer, instructing them to take action against Hawlader." He added that he wanted to file a formal complaint, but the legal officer advised that only the person who paid the bribe, in this case, Ramesa’s family, could file such a complaint. Since they had recovered their money, they chose not to pursue the matter further. Multiple university staff members have alleged that Hawlader has long been involved in bribery and job placement schemes, often leveraging his close connections with influential teachers. The university's pro vice-chancellor (administration), Dr. Sohel Ahmed, acknowledged the allegations, saying they are aware of the situation. A committee will be formed to investigate and ensure appropriate action is taken against all those involved, he said. Read more: Jahangirnagar University's exam irregularities raise concerns among students As of now, Abul Kalam Hawlader has not been available for comment. Repeated attempts to contact him were unsuccessful, with Hawlader citing illness and avoiding further communication.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen has said noted activist-economist Prof Anu Muhammad requires combined surgery. “After seeing the pictures sent by the doctors last night, I decided that Professor Anu Muhammad needs a combined operation for his injuries. For this reason, he has been brought from Dhaka Medical College Hospital to Sheikh Hasina Burn Institute," he said. Prof Anu Muhammad suffers serious injuries while getting down from train in Dhaka Samanta was speaking to reporters after a board meeting on Professor Anu Muhammad at Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Surgery Institute on Monday afternoon. “The Honorable Prime Minister inquired about Professor Anu Muhammad's condition this morning. She has instructed us to take all necessary measures. I have also informed her of everything. This institute will be better for a combined operation. We need orthopedics, I think it will be better if everyone works together on this matter. We want him to recover and return to his workplace," said the minister. 25-year-old dies of heatstroke in Ctg Speaking about the adverse situation due to the intense heat wave, Samanta said, "Today we talked to the principals of all the medical colleges in the country. We have had a detailed discussion on how the students of the medical colleges will stay in this intense heat and have taken some decisions in this regard. Most of the classes will be online and instructions have been given to bring patients to the clinics and take clinical classes in rooms where there is air conditioning. We hope that this natural condition will not last long. It will be fixed. Then the normal situation will return again."

Prof Anu Muhammad suffered injuries  on his left leg while getting down from a moving train at Khilgaon rail gate in the capital Sunday (April 21, 2024) morning. Anu  Muhammad, a professor of Jahangirnagar University and member secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas,Mineral Resources, Power and Ports,  was admitted to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital after the accident. Woman dies in Meherpur as heat wave scorches the country DMCH emergency department physician Dr. Md. Alauddin said all the five toes of his left let were severed and a toe of the right leg was also damaged. Former Professor (Medicine) of Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital. Dr.Md Harun Or Rashid said Anu Mohammad went to attend a meeting in Dinajpur and was returning to Dhaka by train today. Anu Muhammad told reporters that the train slowed down when it reached Khilgaon rail gate area and when he tried to get down his feet got crushed under the train wheels. Body of missing youth recovered from septic tank in Gaibandha Meanwhile, Dhaka Railway Police Station (Kamalapur) Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ferdous Ahmed Biswas said, "We are staying at the hospital to know how the accident occurred .”

Two more suspects were arrested in connection with the rape of a woman after holding her husband captive on the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus on February 3. They are Mamunur Rashid alias Mamun, the main plotter of the incident,  and Md. Murad. Butterfly fair held at Jahangirnagar University Tipped off, RAB-4 conducted drives in the capital’s Farmgate and Naogaon district simultaneously and arrested Mamun and Murad respectively, said RAB Headquarters Legal and Media Wing Assistant Director ASP Al Amin. Earlier on Feb 4, four people including a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader were arrested over the incident. Jahangirnagar University's exam irregularities raise concerns among students The arrestees were identified as Mustafizur Rahman Khan, a student of the 45th batch of International Relations Department and international affairs secretary of BCL, JU unit. The other arrestees are Mostafa Monwar alias Sagar Siddique, Hasanuzzaman, students of International Relations department and Sabbir Hossain, a student of Botany department, for helping the prime accused to escape. Daylong bird fair at Jahangirnagar University Friday Meanwhile, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a three-member committee to review the steps taken by Jahangirnagar University (JU) over the rape incident. UGC Chairman (Additional Charge) Professor Dr Muhammad Alamgir said the committee members will visit the university on Thursday.

In a harrowing incident at Jahangirnagar University (JU), allegations have emerged against two individuals – including a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader – of raping a woman after holding her husband captive in a residential hall. The incident, which took place on Saturday (February 03, 2024) night around 9:30 pm near the Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall’s adjacent forest, has led to the suspension of the accused from the university unit of BCL. The accused have been identified as Mostafizur Rahman, a 45th batch student of the Department of International Relations at Jahangirnagar University, and Mamun, a 45-year-old outsider. Mostafizur, a resident student of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall and the International Affairs Secretary of the university’s Chhatra League unit, is known to be a follower of the unit president Akhtaruzzaman Sohel. Both Mostafizur and Mamun have been on the run since the incident. Inspector Abdur Rasik of Savar Model Police Station reported that the victim personally informed the police of the ordeal. “We are heading to the scene for preliminary investigation. Further actions will depend on the investigation’s outcome,” he stated. Following the incident’s exposure, over 50 students staged a protest in front of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, demanding answers from the administration with slogans such as “Why are there rapists on campus?” and “We want a rape-free campus.” The victim, a resident of Ashulia, revealed that the accused Mamun used to rent a room in their house and had prior acquaintance with Mostafizur. Mamun occasionally stayed with Mostafizur in Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. Mamun had invited her husband to visit the university under the pretext of purchasing furniture. On the evening of the incident, the victim’s husband informed Mamun about their plan to buy furniture. Mamun then instructed the husband to call his wife to the university, suggesting she bring some clothes for Mamun as he would be staying on campus for a few days. Read more: Rape case in Uttara: Main suspect, associate arrested Subsequently, Mostafizur and Mamun confined the victim’s husband in room 317 of the ‘A’ block of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. When the woman arrived with the clothes, Mamun took them and later deceived her into going to the forested area near the hall under the pretense of meeting her husband from another gate, where she alleges both men raped her. Despite multiple attempts to contact Mostafizur, he remained unresponsive. His phone was later found to be turned off. Professor Sabbir Alam, provost of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, stated, “I have heard about the incident. Actions will be taken based on the investigation.” Efforts are underway to identify the accused through CCTV footage. Akhtaruzzaman Sohel, president of the university unit of Chhatra League, announced that Mostafizur had been temporarily expelled from the organization, with recommendations for permanent expulsion to be sent to the central committee. ASM Firoz-ul-Hasan, the university’s proctor, affirmed, “Regardless of who is involved, we will ensure punishment through both law and university regulations.” Read more: Youth’s body cut into nine pieces recovered; ex-BCL leader, 4 others arrested

Demanding in-person classes, first-year students of the 52nd batch in Jahangirnagar University boycotted online classes on Wednesday. Class representatives of various departments said that the students of 16 departments and one institute boycotted the class. Butterfly fair held at Jahangirnagar University The departments include History, Mathematics, Chemistry, Anthropology, Philosophy, International Relations, English, Journalism and Media Studies, Computer Science and Engineering, Pharmacy, Zoology, Management Studies, Law and Justice, Fine Arts, Environmental Science, Bangla department and Bangabandhu Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture. Wishing anonymity, a student of Journalism and Media Studies said they were told that offline classes would be held after the national elections. Jahangirnagar University's exam irregularities raise concerns among students “Election is over, but no initiative has yet to be taken from the administration”, the student added. Another student said they face many hurdles while doing online classes at home. They suffer because of internet connection or devices, and lack of a suitable environment for class. The students are also concerned about attendance marks. Daylong bird fair at Jahangirnagar University Friday Dean and Chairman of Law and Justice Assistant Professor Dr. Tapos Kumar Das said: "We didn’t get any kind of instruction from the university administration for in-person classes." Prof Dr.Nurul Alam, vice-chancellor of the university, could not be reached over phone for comments despite repeated attempts.