CU Fine Arts students on hunger strike for campus relocation

Nine students of the Fine Arts Institute at the Chittagong University (CU) launched an indefinite hunger strike since yesterday, demanding the relocation of their institute to the university’s main campus.

Despite continued protests, the university administration has yet to offer an effective solution. Students allege that, despite multiple assurances over the years, the authorities have failed to follow through, prompting them to take this drastic step.

The hunger strike began after a sit-in protest at 3:00pm yesterday.

According to the students, although the administration has expressed willingness to relocate the Fine Arts Institute, “certain pro-Awami League teachers” are allegedly obstructing the process for personal benefit. While all preparations for relocation are reportedly complete, the move remains stalled due to the absence of approval from a Syndicate meeting.

Students claim that if the administration were truly committed, it could call an emergency Syndicate meeting and issue a gazette notification — but has chosen not to.

Fahim Ahmed, a student from the 2017–18 academic session, said, “We began the hunger strike 21 days after the deadline set by our professor. The previous administration made various promises but failed to act. The current administration seems more sincere. We are just waiting for one Syndicate meeting. Until our demand is met, we will continue our hunger strike.”

Mahmudul Islam, a student of the 2023–24 session, told The Daily Star, “The university administration has given us repeated assurances, but our demands remain unfulfilled. We no longer trust them. Some teachers from our own department are responsible for delaying this process. We urge the administration to prioritise the students’ demand.”

Prof Kajal Dev Nath, director of the Fine Arts Institute, said, “Everything has been finalised; we are only waiting for a Syndicate meeting. We’ve taken the process this far, but just because students demand it doesn’t mean we can call a Syndicate meeting immediately. It’s a time-consuming matter, but the students are not understanding that. Other students have accepted the current situation, but a few are refusing to do so. Our classes and exams are running as usual here.”

No statement was available from the university administration due to a scheduled board meeting.

Earlier on December 12 last year, the university administration announced that the Fine Arts Institute would be relocated to the main campus by March 31, 2025.